Discussion: Negative tone

I noticed over the years a lot of course setters like to advertise their courses with a negative tone like "you may hate me after". Or comment " you will be bloody".

Thoughts on if this is bad tactic or makes people think they are completing something "epic" and is actually good?

Do people get pumped up or discouraged?

Usually I think of this more as an apology from the setter, or attempt at humor, because of what they had to work with. Sure, I prefer when people don't throw in a ton of extra needless climb or send me through yucky forest, but at some venues those things can be unavoidable. I'd rather know ahead of time if a place is going to make me bleed or have 400 m of climb so I can at least mentally steel myself (or decide to stay home)

As a competitor, I prefer an honest assessment in the event information. More than once I have been disappointed to find "beautiful open forest" full of thorns and undergrowth.

As an event director, I want to promote my event in the best possible light, but I also don't want competitors going away mad because I over-sold the venue.

We all know that no matter how great the woods and courses, there will be post-event attacks on Attackpoint and elsewhere, so maybe a little self-deprecating humour is a preemptive defense by some directors or setters.

Our club just lost a skilled course setter due to a few harsh post event comments among a large number of mostly complimentary statements. A shame. But repeat directors and course setters have to have a bit of a thick skin.

To paraphrase Jane Austen - It is a truth universally acknowledged, that an organiser in possession of a new map, must find the most desirable small area of terrain on the map to photograph and post to the event bulletin to be represented as typical for most legs on all courses.

@TheInvisibleLog - LOL, +1!

the goal should be to avoid "(or decide to stay home)", without bending the truth too far.

once you are on Attackpoint, the post event comments get nicer :)