Doing It The Hard Way.

[pontiacgp]

computers as helpful as they are is turning people into zombies who are oblivious to the rest of the world and with access to the internet demand solutions as soon as they have a question. Very few read an instruction manual even though it is known our minds take in more when reading from a real book. Social skills are not learned by the kids who grow up with a screen in front of them instead of friends faces. I was lucky growing up when I did, we learned by trial and error and had to rely on our own minds to figure out solutions to problems we never encountered before. There was no google back then and we better off for it. It's amazing what we can figure out when we need to. Would I have my GP modified like it is without a computer and the internet? Of course not but I would rather give it up to have more of the old ways in this world.

 

[Streetbu]

I guess I'm going to really start showing my age then. Ive been building these since before the net existed. Basically since the g-body has been around. I learned the hard way on what items are the same across the platform, versus which are different. I find more satisfaction in doing something, than reading about it. Even if it was wrong. LOL Plus I've found that at times info on the 'net can sometimes confuse more than it helps. Tire size is the perfect example.... My first G-body, a '78 Malibu, there was no way to fit a tire larger than 255 wide in the wheel well. Period. Tape measure in hand, wasn't going to happen. Yet Ive seen others stuff a 275 and still have room. One of the very first things I learned about these cars was that build quality and consistency sucked. That first Malibu must've been built on a Monday Haha I've had several more since that one, and they would fit wider than a 255. So you cant always give a clear cut answer. Plus with their age, many have bad body mounts, rotted frame, rotted body where the mounts sit and that can and does cause fitment issues as stuff moves around.

But you are right, People want an instant answer to their very specific questions, often without even searching at all.

 

[STLRegal]

computers as helpful as they are is turning people into zombies who are oblivious to the rest of the world and with access to the internet demand solutions as soon as they have a question. Very few read an instruction manual even though it is known our minds take in more when reading from a real book. Social skills are not learned by the kids who grow up with a screen in front of them instead of friends faces. I was lucky growing up when I did, we learned by trial and error and had to rely on our own minds to figure out solutions to problems we never encountered before. There was no google back then and we better off for it. It's amazing what we can figure out when we need to. Would I have my GP modified like it is without a computer and the internet? Of course not but I would rather give it up to have more of the old ways in this world.

I've grown up in the internet age. The internet has its pros and cons. People can reach out and share very useful information. At the same time it allows idiots a medium to voice their stupid ideas. Similar to the real world but at a much faster rate. What's awesome is that you can also quickly get a second opinion from a vast community.

30 years ago had a mechanic given you bad information you may not ever know it was bad until something went wrong or you ran across someone else who did know the correct info. And if you never talked to that other person you may never get the good information. On the internet bad information generally can be quickly stamped out by a knowledgable community.

Things to remember as well is these cars aren't nearly as easy to find. Even parts that were cross platform are now scarce. This makes it a lot harder to just go to a junkyard and find parts in good shape just to see what fits. Also keep in mind that some people new to the hobby may just not know any better. As long as they are patient and willing to learn.

 

[online170]

God damn hippies!

Get a haircut and a real job i say.

 

[Texas82GP]

God damn hippies!

Get a haircut and a real job i say.

Outstanding!

 

[-83MONTESS-]

I think a lot of it can be blamed on the shows that younger people watch. The shows where they build a car in a few weeks and they think that's how it works. Im from this new generation but I grew up with my dad always having a project car so I saw first hand what kind of time, money, and work it took to build something. Maybe that's why it wasn't an issue.

On the flip side I have countless friends that merely start a project before abandoning them for something else. That's not a generation thing at all. I do enjoy giving my friends sh*t over the fact that im the only one that makes plans and follows through with them 🙂

 

[L67ss]

God damn hippies!

Get a haircut and a real job i say.

Meh chicks dig the long hair

 

[motorheadmike]

God damn hippies!

Get a haircut and a real job i say.

 

[mobileaudio25]

I'm a younger guy and a lot of people from this generation could give two sh*ts about working on a car let alone know how to. Most of my friends don't even know how to do a simple tune up or oil change... very sad to say the least. The internet and this forum is the only way I'm capable of building my knowledge base.

Personally I ask a lot of questions on the forum to clarify and make sure I'm making the right decision (as I hate having to do things twice) but I do not ask without doing hours of research prior to asking my question. I like like to put it into my own words as far as my understanding and make sure that I'm getting the just of things. Now that I've done hundreds of hours of research I do read a ton on the forums and try to chime in on topics that I do have some knowledge and I know I have a solid understaning about.

If people do not do their own research whether it's on this forum or google to me that comes from laziness. There's a lot of good info on the internet and outside of this forum, plus I like hearing the same answer from multiple sourcesto solidify my decision. This forum made my car what it is today and every gbody owner in the world should be a member haha

 

[STLRegal]

I'm a younger guy and a lot of people from this generation could give two sh*ts about working on a car let alone know how to. Most of my friends don't even know how to do a simple tune up or oil change... very sad to say the least. The internet and this forum is the only way I'm capable of building my knowledge base.

Personally I ask a lot of questions on the forum to clarify and make sure I'm making the right decision (as I hate having to do things twice) but I do not ask without doing hours of research prior to asking my question. I like like to put it into my own words as far as my understanding and make sure that I'm getting the just of things. Now that I've done hundreds of hours of research I do read a ton on the forums and try to chime in on topics that I do have some knowledge and I know I have a solid understaning about.

If people do not do their own research whether it's on this forum or google to me that comes from laziness. There's a lot of good info on the internet and outside of this forum, plus I like hearing the same answer from multiple sourcesto solidify my decision. This forum made my car what it is today and every gbody owner in the world should be a member haha

I feel the same way. I'll also try to do as much research as possible before asking a question. I come from a somewhat limited automotive family. Dad and uncle were big into cars in the 60s and 70s. So I had a bit of help in that regard, but I still had to do a bunch of research to find just what my car needed for a swap. If your just a young guy with no automotive history who bought a gbody and had no friends, or relatives, especially older guys who have worked on them. The internet is largely your only option.