I had totally forgotten about the book it’s been so long.
4 Likes
@Augie if you’re close friends with John, why not just ask him if he is still accepting payments for the book through the website? Or ask him to remove the page?
The person with the message above has a point. If a scammer takes money from a member here on the forum, they get banned and subsequently lambasted.
Instead of speculating on how he runs his website, or using your yoyo clout to vouch for the man, why not urge him to own up? One could argue that this would be the honorable thing to do, if you know him and you’re aware of the situation. This is intended for everyone who has spoken on his behalf (not just Augie).
It’s undeniable that the “old boys’ club” exists in this community; a form of yoyo patriarchy. Those within the club will be the first to scoff at it. There is a lot of allowance made for those who have “grown the community” or “revolutionized the game.” It’s unhealthy and is further evidenced in this thread.
11 Likes
The sale page on his website appears to down at this point which is a good decision however that got prodded along.
4 Likes
Wanting to address this sentiment also. Most of us had bad stuff happen (and could still be happening) during COVID. That doesn’t mean that I get to swindle a group of people for 12k to get out of a difficult situation.
There are ample work opportunities, and, as unfortunate as it is to say, particularly for an able-bodied, middle-aged white male. There is also government assistance, particularly for those who are disabled or who have disabled children.
COVID should not be an excuse for immorality.
7 Likes
I will say, I am both very sympathetic towards what being a performer must have been like during COVID but in this specific case, the Kickstarter funded 10 months before COVID so it’s not a great excuse.
4 Likes
You have no idea what I have or haven’t done and anything else is pointed speculation. Or even what my relationship with Higby is. Your comment was entirely assumptive, both about my involvement in the situation and my intentions. It was disrespectful (not to mention incorrect) and I don’t appreciate it.
Also perhaps the most inane misuse of the word patriarchy that I’ve ever heard, and one that takes away from actual issues related to sex/gender power dynamics. I’m not going to address that comment further.
Same for the idea that there’s somehow some sort of yoyo freemason Illuminati secret society controlling things behind the scenes.
Even in this thread, there’s historically important yoyo people on multiple sides of the issue. Treating historically noteworthy yoyo players as some sort of unified monolith who all share the same opinions is a downright silly idea. It’s so silly that I spent some time debating whether to even respond to any of it.
I get that people are justifiable miffed, angry, or feel wronged. (I am out money too.)
I do think it’s an issue and I do think it should be made right. I’m simply saying that I think the problem is more complex than some people are giving it credit for, that I can reasonably speak to Higby’s character and intentions, and that I don’t think that continuing to kick up drama on an unrelated yoyo forum is going to do anything to solve the problem in a practical sense.
It’s fine if you think I’m made an error in judgment, but anything past that is entirely inappropriate.
I have nothing to gain here. If anything, the opposite.
20 Likes
Yoyo is largely influenced by white men who are almost exclusively responsible for its trajectory. Yoyo often attracts young people, both male and some female, as well as those who tend to exist on the fringes (like LGBTQ, neurodivergent, anti-social, etc). Anyone else with less influence, outside of the inner circle, who speak anything even remotely critical, are often hushed in a sort of condescending, fatherly tone (i.e. "now now little one, sit down and let the big boys tell you how things used to be and why they should stay that way). If that doesn’t sound like a form of patriarchy, then I don’t know what does. These small communities are complex enough to develop a sort of hierarchy and social structure.
Next,
and
Last, what I find unsettling about your response is that you seem more bothered by my use of the word patriarchy than you are by the Kickstarter situation. This conversation wouldn’t be happening if some of the greats didn’t swoop in and try to sweep it under the rug.
2 Likes
Might it not be slightly more likely that said “greats” are just also yoyo players who have had more experience with him? Met his family? Stayed with him? Have a clearer sense for his attitude and intentions? Have experiential justification for seeing him as a decent guy who’s had a pretty hard run of things?
I didn’t do the kickstarter and I don’t know everything about it. But I don’t see anything in this thread or FB as indicative of a nefarious plot to “shush” anyone. I DO think John should provide more updates. But I think players who have spent time with him are just more likely to have a sense that he’s a good person who WILL seek to make good on his promises.
That said, I’m NOT saying don’t ask questions or hold John to account. Just that people vouching for him might be less about propping up the white-cis-male status quo and more just having a friendship or experiences with a dude which don’t include much in the way of sketchiness.
18 Likes
Totally disagree with this concept. (Personal opinion)
9 Likes
focus more on everything else he said relating to higby. Seems like augie and now a mod keep deflecting the higby comments to focus on a small comment about the social structure of the community. (personal opinion)
Man it’s almost like all this would be solved if higby himself just said something and didn’t have the creator of yye, Augie fash and a mod chiming into the thread defending this.
2 Likes
He brought up the topic, I wrote a short rebuttal & I wasn’t planning to address it further, and then he doubled down on the topic.
Saying that I’m “deflecting” the topic is crazy and misleading.
Even if the below quote is likely the most racist and misinformed thing I’ve ever read on YYE:
From the ancient Chinese pottery showing yoyos, to the invention of the yoyo that sleeps, to the Filipino demonstrators spreading yoyos popularity throughout the USA, to the biggest toy boom of the 90s led largely by players in Japan and Asian Americans yoyo players from Hawaii, to the Asian players who have helped lead and shape the IYYC, and to the huge promotions led by Chinese companies and players. Not even to mention that a huge percentage of the best and most influential players of all time are from Asia. Or all of the significant influence from other nonwhite individuals and people groups… for instance, the most followed yoyo player on social media worldwide is a female yoyo player from Mexico! There are many, many more examples… To me, it’s always been one of the best and coolest things about yoyo.
The vast majority of pivotal points in yoyo history have been influenced to a large degree by non-white individuals or groups. That’s not even an opinion. It’s just a fact.
No respect or recognition for all the people who have molded and shaped yoyo over the decades.
What a crock.
17 Likes
Note the fact that I am mod here has no reflection on YYE. That is my PERSONAL opinion.
On another note, how does race come into this at all? It started out as a discussion about a Higby book, turned to a criticism of people defending him, NOT his actions, all of a sudden it’s about race. Calling race on this is similar to the old internet meme of calling hitler to shut down issues.
Once again, this is another discussion going nowhere…
6 Likes
I did notice that some genuine yoyo legends who rarely, if ever, post here suddenly showed up in this thread to defend a fellow legend. I was willing to chalk it up to friends defending friends, but I just took my dog for a moonlight walk and there was a giant yoyo symbol shining on a cloud. I’m asking anyone I’ve interacted with on the BST to please destroy any packaging that contains my home address, and please delete my email address from your PayPal account.
6 Likes
Once again you avoid talking about higby and bring up the one weird comment he made that some people think is true. Stop deflecting. Who cares about that race comment
2 Likes
I’m sure many of them lurk around more than people realize, only chiming in when they have something to say.
7 Likes
I hope I’m not overstepping my bounds by chiming in, as I know I have no right to speak on the issue. However, I think the topic has veered wildly off-track, and has devolved into aggressiveness and finger-pointing between participants.
I think the situation is honestly pretty clear cut. Mr. Higby obviously should have followed through on the production and distribution of the book. When that became impossible due to unfortunate life events, he should have communicated better with his financial backers. He also should have been proactive about either removing the pre-order option from his website, or else updating the description with a realistic time frame.
That being said, life DOES get messy, and sometimes people have to make choices they would otherwise not want to make. Sometimes projects have to get pushed to the back burner when emergencies happen. That isn’t an excuse for the lack of communication, but we should also strive to be empathetic toward people in difficult situations. I think it is perfectly fine to seek clarification and accountability on this issue, but it becomes really cruel once it devolves into tearing Mr. Higby (and the hobby as a whole, with the pointed accusations regarding race) down on a personal level.
I’ve read through all of the relevant posts multiple times now, and it didn’t seem to me as if @Augie was trying to deflect accountability from John Higby. I believe that he was speaking to his character as a person, since that was called into question by some of the comments here. You can make mistakes in business, or even make mistakes in life, and still be a good person. You shouldn’t have your personal image dragged through the mud for a business venture gone wrong, no matter how poorly you handled communicating about the situation.
I really like reading through the YYE forums and participating in conversations. I hope the type of character attacks and cruel rhetoric that have been on display in this thread don’t become a common theme around here. It should be entirely possible to have tough discussions without them devolving into verbal slap fights.
7 Likes
Apparently the guy who originally posted it…
3 Likes
You can try contacting him at the above link. I’m sure if you reach out respectfully for an update, you may get a response. If your goal is to get results and see this wrong righted, that seems like it would be the most productive route.
I know you mentioned in previous posts that you reached out already (I believe Instagram?), but it seems like his official website would be the best method for making contact.
I honestly hope you do get some answers, and I hope Mr. Higby is at a place now where he can deliver on his previous promises.
I know that I’m personally a very anxious person, and a lot of other people in the world are as well. Having angry people approach me over social media or my website to make accusations against my character and throw hate at me would fill me with dread, and probably make it even harder to fulfill my responsibilities. I’m hopeful that anyone who reaches out will find a way to ask for clarification without being aggressive or rude!
5 Likes
Hopefully, Mr Higby will find a way to resolve this issue in the near future.
In the meantime…
This is the end, beautiful friend
This is the end,
9 Likes