I don’t see the harm in saying that yoyos are toys. They are toys. That doesn’t devalue them in any way, or take away from the skill people display with them garnered over hundreds of hours of dedicated, focused practice. And as others have said, the hobbies that are more societally valued and mainstream are kinda arbitrary and equally as silly as yoyoing when you get to the heart of them. “I lift heavy object gud,” “I run long time gud,” “I hit/throw/kick ball gud.” At the end of the day, we’re all just silly apes doing silly things for the lolz.
At the same time, I think it’s also a good thing to remember that we’re just playing with toys. I get that people are passionate about their hobbies, but we as a community have had a few scandals this year that just didn’t need to happen or be as dramatic as they were IMO.
So IMO we should def be proud and passionate but also recognize that we’re just big-headed apes throwing a chunk of metal on a string at the ground while we hurdle through space on a giant rock. And if another big-headed ape thinks we’re weird because we’re not kicking a ball or incessantly taking selfies or whatever they arbitrarily deem more valuable, that’s fine/who cares.
Man, I’m right there with ya. I get super nervous about my wife’s family seeing my yoyo collection or seeing me throw and yet they always think it’s really cool. It’s just my insecurity getting the better of me. IMO it’s natural and understandable but it’s all in our heads.
I like to talk to people about their hobbies.
I’m taken aback when they say “I’m too busy” for any hobby.
Although it may be true for them, I get the impression they will view me negatively if I mention yo-yos as an activity. Too them, it’s like sitting in front of a screen playing video games, and adults should have “better things to do.”
Sometimes it’s true though, but I’m at the point where I pick one up when I feel like it, no real schedule of “practice.”
It amazes me how many tricks I know, which I totally forgot about. Been yo-yoing quite a while now, it adds up
And there’s the crux word right there. It is when the word just is thrown in, that’s when the thing in question is marginalized and reduced to something frivolous and unimportant.
Yes, they are toys. But for many players they aren’t just toys.
Take the word just out and I would say everything being said is correct. Leave it in and you’re contributing to the culture of shame that many adults live with because they enjoy playing yoyo.
Hmm. I guess I didn’t see it like that because I’m not using it to marginalize the community and players, but then again, I haven’t had issues with this thrown at me. So point taken.
Yeah, I’m not sure if people fully grasp how their word choices can affect their readers. The word just is somewhat pernicious, even when not intended to be such.
To the people offended by calling yoyos “just” a toy: stop being kids and grow up. It’s a toy; just a toy for your entertainment and enjoyment. If it offers you peace of mind or other cognitive benefits is irrelevant. Gamers will give you the same justifications, but at least they admit to just playing around.
Matching the perfect string color with the right yoyo automatically makes me want to play with it more. As much as I find neon green/yellow to be the most visible, it just doesn’t seem right with some yoyos. It’s all psychological I know, but when you get a perfect match the yoyo plays better.
So my aunt was over with my uncle again today…and to my surprise it was my uncle that really wanted to see me yo. I never really got to know him or spend any time with him…outwardly he seems very uptight and almost angry.
The more I’m hanging out with him though, the more I’m discovering that he’s just a big old child! lol I’d get along with him great!
I was just throwing around my basics. It’s so freaking satisfying landing your tricks around people!
My aunt and uncle were both super impressed. I don’t think my aunt’s ever seen anyone throw a modern yoyo and my uncle was kinda shocked that it was able to keep on spinning. I had to explain to him that yos now have ball bearings in them.
I dunno if you are in the US, but there is an attitude there that strongly values work work work with the flipside of that being a devaluation of hobbies. I think it’s a shame.
The “puritan ethic” and the Horatio Alger ethic of working hard still have some hold in the U.S. The home of probably more pastimes than any nation ,and the most guilt about it. jj
I realized this a few years ago and decided without question that I would strive to only work as hard as I had to to provide for my family and not miss out on having a family. I know a lot of people who are financially a lot more comfortable than I am but don’t know their kids, or don’t have time for a dog, or haven’t been on vacation for a decade. Sad stuff.
I’ve been dedicating a little more time to 2A since getting my Sunrises. Every minor improvement is very satisfying, and it’s refreshing how different it is from other types of yoyoing. I’ve had to adjust a little bit since I’m using different yo-yos now and I’m a little concerned I might be using string that’s a little too short. Not sure if that matters or not for more advanced stuff.
Anywhere from 70-80cm should be fine. Im rockin around 77 or 78 and thats considered to be on the longer side. Ive been lazy with my 2a practice this week
Ever since Duncan released the Haymaker X, I feel like they’ve really been knocking it out of the park with their bi-metals. Between the Haymaker X, Grasshopper GTX, Orbital GTX, and Barracuda/Yoshicuda X, it is really difficult to pick a clear favorite. They are all so good. Kudos to Duncan for really bringing it!
