Dear Bernard,
In the real world, we would never meet. Social constructs would artificially keep us apart in Singapore and here, in the USA, I just wouldn't "hang" with people like you.
It just happens that our shared passion for horology has brought us together on the internet, ThePuristS and now PuristSPro.
On this open forum, everyone has an equal voice. There are just simple rules which all community members agree to abide by. The respect and civility of PuristSPro are testaments that participants here have developed a heightened sense of self control. I think we throw a pretty successful virtual "cocktail party".
Amongst the community, a few of us have been selected to host and clean up after the party is over. You were once on the moderating team, you know of the difficult and thankless tasks that we are sometimes forced to deal with. The most troubling aspects of our hobby, which 99% of the collectors could care less about, are the business and politics of the watch industry. Yes, I know how being involved with the industry can change a person...luckily I am a "small fish" and have been able to avoid some of the pitfalls which you and others have fallen into. Yes Bernard, you are a master. A MASTER OF COMPLETE MARKETING BULLSHIT.
In an attempt to preserve the integrity of the community, I've repeatedly asked you to be transparent and disclose your conflicts of interests. You have not. Obviously we disagree on PuristS principles but this is a FTC (Federal Trade Commission) requirement which you continue to violate.
I've repeatedly asked you to focus on watches, yet you continue to meander off topic to purposefully offend others.
Why here? Why always PuristSPro? I keep asking myself this question. There are plenty of other worthy sites to promote yourself and your version of passion. These are sites managed and promoted by friends. The only answer I can come up with is that you still think you can sweet talk and "bundle" new customers for the brands you champion (or are being paid to promote).
So ENOUGH is ENOUGH.
On PuristSPro everyone has an equal voice, but as a moderator I've been fortunate enough to be granted the power of a "delete" button. So while I cannot ban you from the site, I'm tired of asking fellow PuristS to simply ignore your postings.
From today on, I will immediately delete any posts from you. Whether or not the content is relevant, I really don't care. If this is considered censorship, so be it. I'm not perfect but I've given you enough warnings and you have given enough excuses. And I will continue to delete your posts until that editorial power is taken away from me. I apologize in advance to any community members who will have already posted replies but these will be automatically deleted when the main post is removed ( Don't worry Bernard, I will archive everything per our PPro guidelines).
I don't think we will be missing anything, I am sure some of us will be smart enough to see the "value" of a rounded versus a flat headed screw eventually.
I don't hate you Bernard, I feel sorry for you...
Please go play in someone else's backyard and conduct your "paid marketing research" there. Feel free to email me for some suggested sites.
Not submitted respectfully,
Dr. Michael Ting