Many thanks Russ, I appreciate that and I think it will reduce the "red-rag-to-a-bull"aspect which I think often prompts the frequent attacks I suffer. It's notable that these are often accompanied by sneers about the Guru title such as that from d8veh above.
Very good point flecc and I'm one who is affected in that way. Although, like you, I held rank in a former life, I was always rebellious and a constant thorn in the flesh of my superiors. I have never enjoyed the hierarchical system, believing it to be fundamentally flawed. As I have grown older, (not necessarily wiser!) I have come to realise that all systems are flawed and even natural selection is imperfect.
I'm delighted that Russ has altered the nomenclature, suiting my stated desire to be known quite simply as member....(it's a socialist, democratic thing, I think) although, believe it or not, my pleasure is tainted slightly by the fact that you too have been effectively demoted. If you're ok with that, then that's fine but I could have lived with the guru bit unchanged.
For those previously known as "junior members", I always felt sorry for them as "junior" has a similar breadth of meaning to the word "cheap" as has been discussed elsewhere. It evoked thoughts in my mind like, apprentice, greenhorn, trainee, cub and so on. Of course, many of those "junior" people were elderly, had been cycling for 50 years and had probably forgotten more about most things than I had ever learned.
Anyway, right at this moment, I feel quite good about my demotion back to the ranks....and I don't even lose any pay! How good is that?
Regards,
Indalo