FOT's - Why so quiet?

[erika]

Hey guys,

This is in no way an indictment, but why don't more FOT's call into the show? You know what a good call sounds like, in my experience you're all very interesting and intelligent people (who could probably come up with something creative to say for a topic, etc.) and you support the show, so why not call??

I realize I call too much, and I'm not saying everyone should follow my example to the tee, but I feel like there's a big gap between the number of FOT's and the number of FOT callers... even on desperate nights like the past few shows.

I'm really interested in people's answers.

[bruce]

two reasons

1. Got nothing to really say. i mean who wants to listen to someone go ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

2. The last few times I did call Tom just picks on me calling me someone who ruins things.

[knifegirl]

perfectly formed shame spirals 

I've never called the show because it's usually a week and a half before I think of something I could have called in with.

[Sarah]

I think most people are just shy and feel like they have nothing to offer.  As I said to Petey last night, a hallmark of intelligence/interestingness, in my view, anyway, is severe doubt that anything one says is intelligent or interesting.  And it may even be a little harder for FOT to call because we feel more of a duty to perform well, both for the show's sake and in order not to feel humiliated in front of our brethren and sistren. not to mention our noble leader (no Leader jokes, please).

[Emily]

You know what a good call sounds like,

this is why i don't call.

if i ever feel like i might be able to do more good than harm, i will call.

[erika]

Aw all i meant by that is that you know a bad caller has no energy. With as much enthusiasm as the FOT's put into BEING FOT's, I'd think that would translate onto the calls.

And I can certainly understand being shy. For 2/3 of my life I was painfully shy... to the point where it was my greatest handicap. it has since gone away but I can still relate.

That said, I still choose to believe the FOT's have a lot more to offer than what's being put on the table in terms of contributing to the show. Just my opinion, which might be an ignorant one at best. I've only been here a few months.

Again, I'm not pointing fingers or trying to make anyone feel bad so please don't take this the wrong way. I guess I just don't understand the dynamic.

[Martin]

What Sarah said. (We need to get over ourselves.)

Also, for me there's the language barrier - minor issue, but still.

I usually just send Tom a lot of annoying emails during the show.

[Mainiac FOT]

Also, after a few calls goes badly (shame on me),  I'd guess a lot of FOTs, modest as they are, feel like they don't want to risk making things go worse.

[Sarah]

The topics, too, can be a problem.  Sometimes I think I might have something mildly entertaining to say, but it's not on topic, so I have to wait till Tom relaxes the phone rules again, by which time my courage has flagged.

Besides, now that MainiacFOT has horned in on my territory, one of my biggest selling points has diminished in value.  Damn you, MainiacFOT!  Windham, indeed--a place where only 4.4% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line in 2000, compared to Lubec's 20.3% and 28.8%.

(Note to MainiacFOT:  You know this is a joke, right?)

[Chris L]

Besides, now that MainiacFOT has horned in on my territory, one of my biggest selling points has diminished in value.  Damn you, MainiacFOT!  Windham, indeed--a place where only 4.4% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line in  2000, compared to Lubec's 20.3% and 28.8%.

I propose an on-air Eastern Maine/Western Maine feud.  Maniac FOT = Tupac and Sarah = Biggie Smalls.  Or you can also fight over that if you want. 

(Note to MainiacFOT:  You know this is WAR, right?)

Oh snap, it's on!

[Mainiac FOT]

I don't like that topic, Sarah.

I LOVE IT!

So many areas for comparison: puffins, lobster rolls, whoopie pies and obesity all come to mind.

Speaking of which, Sarah, is it our (collective FOT) place to maybe throw some topic ideas to Tom?

[dave from knoxville]

I'm too dumb not to call.

That Maine thing's not going to work all that well for me, unless you want me to call and start describing the ongoing feud between the Mechanicsville community, where all the drug-dealing takes place, and Vestal, where all the serial killers live. Regional doesn't really work that well outside of the region under discussion.

[Laurie]

Consider this: Hesh used to post on this board and hang out in chat. You just got Hesh'd!

[B_Buster]

It is my opinion that active participation by the FOTs can only help the show. Non-participation allows the haters to get through and drag the show down. Don't worry what anyone else will think. Regular callers help keep the haters (not to mention the monsters) at bay.

[erika]

The topics, too, can be a problem. 

I usually wait for a topic and then think of something to say within those boundries. I'm definitely a little scared to call in sans-topic, and the topics are so general, I can't see how they would create a big obstacle.

But maybe I've been too dumb not to call either, considering I call almost every show. Either way, I'm to dumb to stop now, so I'll just keep it up till I have an L call. And then I'll probably call some more    (I'm a blockhead)