I feel so soap-boxy lately, maybe because I’m teaching a class, but here’s another kernel of truth I’ll throw at y’all about communities:

If you are trying to get new people,especially diverse people and young people into your hobby, and your first reaction is to show off your really expensive kit and say how much it cost, you are gatekeeping mega mode, even if you’re just trying to share your interest. Nobody wants to hear there is a $1500 (or $5000) barrier to entry to their new hobby. It’s demoralizing, not educational, and they’re just gonna leave.

Happens in bicycles, drones, photography, astronomy, gaming, marksmanship… you name it, there’s a rich older white dude ready to show off his six grand investment in a hobby to a college student with a three digit bank account.