Moderation

[Berniece]

Use of the term alien here has doping connotations. Please desist.

Since when is this the case? Pogacar fans use this themselves to make sure people know he is so much better than everyone else.

 

[Red Rick]

• Utilize “MRI” for Most Respectful Interpretation of a fellow member’s intent when reading their posts.

The term 'alien' is has been used with some regularity, even before Pogacar was around. It was even one of Froome's nicknames early on. I don't remember it being used as some backhanded doping accusation by any stretch.

In fact, current top riders are called aliens or extraterrestrial with some frequency by cycling pundits without a hint of doping accusation. It's basically one of those hype words to a small group of dominant riders. If we're gonna censor this description, we should also censor about a dozen other descriptions, all the way down to the word 'unbelievable' if we're really going to be thorough.

 

[search]

it's also common in other sports, like MotoGP for example, where Marc Marquez used to be described as an alien without any doping connotation at all. I see no issue with the term.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

The term 'alien' is has been used with some regularity, even before Pogacar was around. It was even one of Froome's nicknames early on. I don't remember it being used as some backhanded doping accusation by any stretch.

In fact, current top riders are called aliens or extraterrestrial with some frequency by cycling pundits without a hint of doping accusation. It's basically one of those hype words to a small group of dominant riders. If we're gonna censor this description, we should also censor about a dozen other descriptions, all the way down to the word 'unbelievable' if we're really going to be thorough.

Unfortunately terms such as 'alien' and 'unbelievable', while originally entirely innocent, have been used as euphemisms. I don't believe that that is news to anyone who is a regular here.

The principle of MRI does not oblige moderators to be naive, so while we would not be acting on them 'on sight', do not be surprised if we have a closer look at how it is being used..

 

[YellowSocks]

I find it interesting that the segregation between clinic and non clinic conversations in forums exactly mirrors the omerta rule of the cycling world. Does anyone know when this segregation began and what was the reason for it?

 

[Netserk]

I find it interesting that the segregation between clinic and non clinic conversations in forums exactly mirrors the omerta rule of the cycling world. Does anyone know when this segregation began and what was the reason for it?

Before my time. The forum came online in March 2009 (iirc), and I think the clinic was opened in July that year because doping talk was disruptive on the main board.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

The term alien has been in use since the very early days of the forum, usually not with clinic insinuations. Some examples:

I don't think Lance improved much once he came back from cancer. He didn't get worse... but he didn't get a ton better either. He just maintained a long peak.

By saying Contador may have peaked, I'm saying he might stay at this incredible level for the next decade instead of improving more and turning into some sort of superhuman alien.

Considering his weight is 68kg that is sick.

4.5 w/kg for 5.5 hrs????

is he an alien?

Second at Milan-San Remo, second at the Ronde after being beaten by an alien(this is not a doping reference), fifth at Roubaix and 4 wins this season. I'd say that's still showing he's got it.

Ballan has done nothing now for 2 years. He was pathetically bad at the Tour this year. Let's judge Ballan for his last 2 seasons. We shouldn't even be knowing his name.

Allthough the fight for the nr.1 spot isn't very exciting I'm still loving this Giro.

Contador is dominating and pretty much always the best, but the last 2 days showed that he is also suffering. Thank god, else I had to consider him being an alien. (or something else which shall not be discussed here)

It is my standard shorthand for riders two levels above everyone else, and I'm hardly the only one to whom that applies. To ban the term is simply ludicrous.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

The term alien has been in use since the very early days of the forum, usually not with clinic insinuations. ...
It is my standard shorthand for riders two levels above everyone else, and I'm hardly the only one to whom that applies. To ban the term is simply ludicrous.

I see you have chosen to ignore my comment of about 6 hours ago.

 

[hrotha]

Your comment from about 6 hours ago doesn't change the fact that 'alien' is a well-established term to refer to ANY freakishly good performance, with no intrinsic reference to doping. It's been used that way for decades. I mean, it's been on front pages and everything

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Your comment from about 6 hours ago doesn't change the fact that 'alien' is a well-established term to refer to ANY freakishly good performance, with no intrinsic reference to doping. It's been used that way for decades. I mean, it's been on front pages and everything

Of course it doesn't change that fact: it acknowledges that fact.

 

[Netserk]

I think the ambiguity of "here" in @Cookster15's post caused confusion. I think he meant to denote the specific case, while others can read it as denoting the place of the post, so a much broader ban on all usage of the term in the prr section.

 

[scribers]

I find it interesting that the segregation between clinic and non clinic conversations in forums exactly mirrors the omerta rule of the cycling world. Does anyone know when this segregation began and what was the reason for it?

The forum was completely unusable from a purely racing standpoint. The clinic is probably the best ever idea of cyclingnews after giving folks a place to gather.

 

[Netserk]

Was it unreasonable to infer a broad ban on the term in general? I don't think so after the various policies regarding nicknames.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Was it unreasonable to infer a broad ban on the term in general? I don't think so after the various policies regarding nicknames.

After I had written:

... we would not be acting on them 'on sight', ...

Yes.

 

[Netserk]

After I had written:


Yes.

We're not allowed to comment on specific mod actions, so it becomes difficult to say.

Am I wrong to think the term has been removed in another context within the past hour without any other clues to suggest that the usage was doping innuendo?

 

[aphronesis]

The term 'alien' is has been used with some regularity, even before Pogacar was around. It was even one of Froome's nicknames early on. I don't remember it being used as some backhanded doping accusation by any stretch.

In fact, current top riders are called aliens or extraterrestrial with some frequency by cycling pundits without a hint of doping accusation. It's basically one of those hype words to a small group of dominant riders. If we're gonna censor this description, we should also censor about a dozen other descriptions, all the way down to the word 'unbelievable' if we're really going to be thorough.

Maybe the term was naturalized as happens with things. My recollection of Froome’s early and mid period has the term carry some derision and connotations at various times. More so than comes up with Vingegaard and Pogacar.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Am I wrong to think the term has been removed in another context within the past hour without any other clues to suggest that the usage was doping innuendo?

As far as I can recall, the only deletions I have made this afternoon are from one of the WC threads, posts from a few days ago about selection of the country that probably should not have been allowed to stand for as long as they did as they discussed the politics of the host nation (and some other countries too)

Oh, and I now remember one sly "let's make fun of moderation" use of aliens in a post, which I edited out.

 

[Cookster15]

I think the ambiguity of "here" in @Cookster15's post caused confusion. I think he meant to denote the specific case, while others can read it as denoting the place of the post, so a much broader ban on all usage of the term in the prr section.

Yes, context is important. I was referring to the specific case in the PRR forum. Alien most certainly can and is used as a backhanded doping accusation.

 

[Alien Performance]

whatever you do then don't tag me in a forum post :O

 

[red_flanders]

The term 'alien' is has been used with some regularity, even before Pogacar was around. It was even one of Froome's nicknames early on. I don't remember it being used as some backhanded doping accusation by any stretch.

In fact, current top riders are called aliens or extraterrestrial with some frequency by cycling pundits without a hint of doping accusation. It's basically one of those hype words to a small group of dominant riders. If we're gonna censor this description, we should also censor about a dozen other descriptions, all the way down to the word 'unbelievable' if we're really going to be thorough.

Back in the Armstrong days I and many others used it as an almost ironically backhanded doping accusation. Probably been around before that, but that was kind of the first time cycling and the internet exploded.

I do agree with you, and I do think the meaning has softened as you described.

I've also wondered if some pundits were saying it with a wink of the eye as a way to say "I see what's happening" without actually saying anything and getting in trouble with sponsors and organizers. It's like the term morphed into such common usage that one can't be held to account for using it publicly anymore. It used to be a very clear and direct comment.

EDIT: I see @aphronesis commented much the same above.

 

[Izzyeviel]

alien is a bad word now? what term are we supposed to use to describe world class athletes who are miles ahead of actual world class athletes?

 

[AmRacer]

alien is a bad word now? what term are we supposed to use to describe world class athletes who are miles ahead of actual world class athletes?

Non earthling

 

[Red Rick]

Non earthling

Marsmellow

 

[RedheadDane]

Are we allowed to use specific types of aliens? Like:

"Evenepoel rode this like he's from the planet Gallifrey."

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

alien is a bad word now? what term are we supposed to use to describe world class athletes who are miles ahead of actual world class athletes?

Way to show that you only pay attention to the posts that complain, and not to those that explain.