I know you guys are busting my balls a little and that's fine

- if you are going to dish it out, you need to be able to take it too, right
You do bring up an interesting topic however - in 1966, my folks bought a set of World Book encyclopedias - I read those cover to cover, numerous times - I think it added greatly to whatever knowledge base I have. The electronic media will never be the same as actually holding a book and reading, but I'm not going to tilt at that windmill.
I actually think most guys - yes, even those who are CRT members

- are pretty smart - but they are smart in what they know; their profession, their trade/skill, whatever they do - or did - for a living - what most guys have is "silo knowledge' - smart but their knowledge is not very broad. I'm a pretty good trivia player, and tend to have a fairly broad set of what i know - I also have good communication skills, and enjoy writing. I also think I have a perspective to add to the board as well as a lot of experience in life, business, and of course, Costa Rica - I also think my ocasionally "pointed" posts are far out shadowed helpful ones, and sometimes i can't believe how clueless some people are - while on the subject, I also think some just don't get my sense of humor. I think some posts are really funny!
Believe it or not, I'm not trying to win the "Prolijo Award" (for those who don't know the name, he is a former poster who seemed like a really good guy, smart, etc - but his posts made mine look short

) and trying to keep them short(er) and to the point.