TCIA WTF?

Odd, the comment about Mark being active on other forum alternatives. I figured he was just pulling a recluse. I have periodically considered the fact that he was absent. His right/decision to choose.

edit - I gave equal weight to treebuzz and treehouse until treehouse changed up its software, killed my easy browser login and went to that weird post display format. Now I rarely check in as a guest and see the same crew active there.
 
Bart_ said:
Odd, the comment about Mark being active on other forum alternatives. I figured he was just pulling a recluse. I have periodically considered the fact that he was absent. His right/decision to choose.

edit - I gave equal weight to treebuzz and treehouse until treehouse changed up its software, killed my easy browser login and went to that weird post display format. Now I rarely check in as a guest and see the same crew active there.
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Social media is “easier” I think. IIRC his channels have gotten to where they are paid memberships. Gotta stay on top of the content for that.
 
Daniel said:
Don't you think that the you should ask the people on here if they are cool with using their posts in a different medium. Without even considering the legality, wouldn't that just be the decent thing to do?
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That was covered previously in this thread. There is general agreement that checking in with Buzzers before quoting them is a good idea.

On the other hand it can also be argued (and it is true) we already are quoting each other constantly on the Buzz "without consent". TreeBuzz is a public "publishing entity", same as TCIA Magazine. A little more clarity about that is helpful, Mark addressed what the relationship is between TreeBuzz and TCIA.
-AJ
 
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Reach said:
I sure haven't seen any new users here lately, at least not any who seem to be engaged. In fact the opposite seems true to me, many long time, respected users have vanished and don't seem to have been replaced.
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Which is why I referred to TreeBuzz as an anomaly. Social media has killed a lot. The quality of tree work related content and discussion on FB for example is horrendous. Any of the remaining tree work related forums left are all in the same boat, jumping from one to another is like a near extinct penguin going from ice floe to ice floe.

This is a bigger problem than being irritated at the content, style/tone (whatever) of a TCIA article.

To rant on AI for a moment... it is a vastly generalized term for a huge range of functionality and practice. For instance AI tools have turned out to be much better than emergency room medical professionals at diagnosing complex cases. AI is really good at sorting through mountains of patient records and coming up with clarifying summaries and conclusions. The docs can't do that. They can look at AI results and make more informed decisions on behalf of a patient. That's one example.

We know all the terrible examples of AI use. AI can't be considered good or bad, quite a bit of discernment is required to judge what uses of AI are positive/negative and in between. I'm not sniffing anything exploitive in the way TCIA may have used AI in part to build the article. The use of Buzz user quotes is measured and positive, they don't reflect badly on any of the people quoted. If any of you have been written about or quoted in publications pre-AI you know that it can be terrible. Very rare to have a journalist do a great job on this stuff and often they do a terrible job.

And guess what, the people who hang in there running a quality site like the Buzz put way more into it then they get out of it. We pay nothing and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Onward
-AJ
 
moss said:
Which is why I referred to TreeBuzz as an anomaly. Social media has killed a lot. The quality of tree work related content and discussion on FB for example is horrendous. Any of the remaining tree work related forums left are all in the same boat, jumping from one to another is like a near extinct penguin going from ice floe to ice floe.

This is a bigger problem than being irritated at the content, style/tone (whatever) of a TCIA article.

To rant on AI for a moment... it is a vastly generalized term for a huge range of functionality and practice. For instance AI tools have turned out to be much better than emergency room medical professionals at diagnosing complex cases. AI is really good at sorting through mountains of patient records and coming up with clarifying summaries and conclusions. The docs can't do that. They can look at AI results and make more informed decisions on behalf of a patient. That's one example.

We know all the terrible examples of AI use. AI can't be considered good or bad, quite a bit of discernment is required to judge what uses of AI are positive/negative and in between. I'm not sniffing anything exploitive in the way TCIA may have used AI in part to build the article. The use of Buzz user quotes is measured and positive, they don't reflect badly on any of the people quoted. If any of you have been written about or quoted in publications pre-AI you know that it can be terrible. Very rare to have a journalist do a great job on this stuff and often they do a terrible job.

And guess what, the people who hang in there running a quality site like the Buzz put way more into it then they get out of it. We pay nothing and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Onward
-AJ
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Agreed. Bad ai or ai used as an exploitive tool is an issue.

And yes, site hosting is often a thankless job.

It's important that we clarify the potential positive aspects of this partnership as well.

I'd imagine that, since this page is an anomaly, they're hoping to get real industry talk, not bullshit from FB. Mark sees that, Tom sees it. Most of us see that.

What are some clear cut calls to action that we can make?

Prior to utilizing a buzzers content, please reach out to confirm that's okay?

Polls are okay, but please interact with us here. Meet us here, and contribute meaningfully. TCIA has enough industry knowledge as an organization to at least bring chatter to the mix.

One of the biggest ones would be- a formal clarification as to what the goals here are? Are they growing content in exchange for driving traffic to the buzz? Is this genuine industry partnership for the greater good, and a real stewardship model or is this something else? And we'd like to hear it from both parties, TCIA and Buzz ownership. Like, no fluff, what are we doing here? Because we've been in limbo and I don't think that's a big ask to get clarity on.

This is my personal observation. I've spoke my peace on this and want to find solutions. I like treebuzz and the community here. I also like TCIA, and Mark and Tom. Most everyone here is my friend.
 
Brando CalPankian said:
Agreed. Bad ai or ai used as an exploitive tool is an issue.

And yes, site hosting is often a thankless job.

It's important that we clarify the potential positive aspects of this partnership as well.

I'd imagine that, since this page is an anomaly, they're hoping to get real industry talk, not bullshit from FB. Mark sees that, Tom sees it. Most of us see that.

What are some clear cut calls to action that we can make?

Prior to utilizing a buzzers content, please reach out to confirm that's okay?

Polls are okay, but please interact with us here. Meet us here, and contribute meaningfully. TCIA has enough industry knowledge as an organization to at least bring chatter to the mix.

One of the biggest ones would be- a formal clarification as to what the goals here are? Are they growing content in exchange for driving traffic to the buzz? Is this genuine industry partnership for the greater good, and a real stewardship model or is this something else? And we'd like to hear it from both parties, TCIA and Buzz ownership. Like, no fluff, what are we doing here? Because we've been in limbo and I don't think that's a big ask to get clarity on.

This is my personal observation. I've spoke my peace on this and want to find solutions. I like treebuzz and the community here. I also like TCIA, and Mark and Tom. Most everyone here is my friend.
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Good words, and good path forward. I hope TCIA, Mark and Tom can spend some time digesting this and make meaningful adjustments accordingly.
Technically I shun the ‘expert’ label and I was called exactly that, sure I have an above average POV, and if my name were attached I’d now have that label published to it. That is uncomfortable, more over without consent or compensation.
 
moss said:
That was covered previously in this thread. There is general agreement that checking in with Buzzers before quoting them is a good idea.

On the other hand it can also be argued (and it is true) we already are quoting each other constantly on the Buzz "without consent". TreeBuzz is a public "publishing entity", same as TCIA Magazine. A little more clarity about that is helpful, Mark addressed what the relationship is between TreeBuzz and TCIA.
-AJ
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What about misquoting??? Thats hard to do here... pretty sure that article on deadwood did that to me... I would likevtonreread the article andvthen check the thread.. can anyone save me the trouble of finding both? No big deal really though...thanks
 
I just want to jump on here to point out that these tci articles are absolute trash content that serves no one, even without the controversy. Who is the audience for blatant Ai slop regurgitating a public forum? There is not one single human on earth who wants to read this trash.

It's not even content, it's just rotting bloat that taints any content nearby. It makes finding real content even harder than it already is, and makes readers question the integrity of every other thing they see and interact with.

TCI mag had the choice to pay arborists real money to write articles, to have a real magazine for real humans to enjoy and learn from, but have done this instead.

Dead to me, just like the rest of the Internet.
 
Boomslang said:
@Mark Chisholm that reads like total PR bullshit and completely tone deaf to the subject matter of the thread. You couldn't have done less to address the issue.
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THANK YOU for calling this out. I think Mark has some kind of God-like-can-do-no-wrong aura in this industry. Of course he's great at what he does and has contributed loads to the industry, but that doesn't give him a free pass in this case, IMHO.
 
You would think that a company who prides themselves on Caring about Trees, would have high appreciation for the beauty of natural, organic creativity; the thing which captivates the minds and hearts of all quality tree people.

You'd think TCIA would be wholeheartedly spreading the good word of living among nature, of lifting up tree people to become leaders in their communities, to get them to go out and encourage a society that lives in safe, beautiful, sensible, and organically creative ecosystems.

For all that should be written, spoken, and shared about the life of a person who cares about trees these articles say nothing. Computer generated corporate regurgitation says that they do not care and are here for a quick profit. Just another group of people who find themselves in position at the helm, and instead of steering us in the direction of peace and harmony for all living beings, sails us into maelstrom at the center of profit. It is relentlessly consistent.

It is the single use plastic Christmas tree, antithetical to the very thing it claims to be.

Tcia: you are in a position of leadership. Grab the helm, and lead the people. You have wasted your position to siphon profit off of us.

Tree Care is about Caring about Trees, and caring about trees is about caring about each other. Hire real people to write real words about real life. Pay them real money so they can buy real food. Do more, and I will too.
 
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This thread is really hitting a nerve with tree folks who dare I say have always been a breed apart. :rock:

Yet primarily silence from Mark. I don't get it! Mark, who is a legit industry titan, hasn't posted in over a year until a few days ago in this thread and it was something, tbh, could have been AI generated. I'm not about to throw stones at Mark, whom I have worked with and been taught by and have very high respect for, but it's all just...curious!
 
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TCIA is basically run for and by its sponsors. The backbone of TCIA is the banking sector that provides financing for all the iron, the insurance sector, the equipment manufacturers that sell the big iron, and lastly the people who actually care about and care for trees. Caring for trees isn't what TCIA is about. The industries making the REAL money is what TCIA is about.

What is happening here with the quotes or misquotes sifted from this site is very similar to what occurs with all forms of media on this garbage planet that we've crafted for ourselves. We just had a magical little place to learn from each other and to hang out for a long time which was awesome. All good things must end. AI will truly be the end of us in so many ways. Almost daily I think about how horrible social media is while gobbling all that my eyes can handle of it like a fat kid and cake.

What's the solution?

Smash all your devices.

Go back to a phone screwed to the wall and all your bids on carbon paper.

Develop and nurture real world relationships.
 
Muggs said:
The fact that Mark is completely absent from the Buzz despite being very active on other social channels says a lot. When the supposed owner spends zero time here it says a lot about the perceived relevance of this forum. This place cannot operate on the fumes of nostalgia forever. Yes it was great 15 years ago, but now? This TCIA bullcrap might be the last straw.
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Mark doesn't owe us anything. If he thought we were worth hanging out with, he would. What other forums are you refering to? I have never noticed him posting elsewhere, but that couod just be me out of the loop. Bottom line is we get the forum that we all deserve. What each of us brings to it, the good and the ugly is what we end up with.

I do remmebr the days when Mark spoke with a gentle authority about tree work in general. His word were able to settle down most differences of opinions that got ugly... When he stopped doing that, and Tom allowed and almost the distasteful back and forth to get ugly, a lot of good guys split... so here we are... I would have shared a ton more info with the world if I felt there was a brotherhood instead of a bunch of aholes giving me a hard time
 
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