I like Finegold and no, I don't think he's a jerk. My favourite though is Akobian, his presentation is less fussy and easier to absorb.
Is Ben Finegold as big a jerk as he seems in his videos?
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Jan 21, 2016
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#83
There are people who I think are really entertaining and/or amazing individuals, but I'd never want to, let's say, get stuck in an elevator with them. Huge assholes as individuals. Intolerable in a 1 on 1 relationship.
Just throwing that out there to people who love his videos... I like his videos too.
lolurspammed escribió:
He's a vegetarian though!
BEn is the biggest vegetarian ever XDDDD
I have met him in real life and he cracks a lot of jokes, most of which I didn't find funny. I played bullet with him and actually beat him once, no lie. However, he doesn't seem to care about anything. He talks fast and plays fast. He is very self-centered. He is a nice enough person but he doesn't seem to care about anything but chess. It was a pleasure to see him play FM Kazim Gulamali in bullet though.
Feb 25, 2016
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#86
Had an incident with Finegold once, in some open tournament, where I refused to shake his hand before the game unless he went to the restroom first to wash his hands. He was always non-stop picking his nose in plain sight, to the point I could have sworn I saw his elbow disappear.
As to his teaching methods. I don't find them particularly interesting nor inspiring.
As to his humor. I don't have a problem with that but I can see how some people could.
Feb 25, 2016
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#87
nobodyreally wrote:
Had an incident with Finegold once, in some open tournament, where I refused to shake his hand before the game unless he went to the restroom first to wash his hands.
I dread to ask this but, did Mr Finegold take that in good humour?
Feb 25, 2016
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#88
Ghostliner wrote:
nobodyreally wrote:
Had an incident with Finegold once, in some open tournament, where I refused to shake his hand before the game unless he went to the restroom first to wash his hands.
I dread to ask this but, did Mr Finegold take that in good humour?
Nope, hehheh. He was furious. But I stood my ground. And I could see in the arbiter's eyes that he agreed with me. 
Standing in front of an audience week after week must be terrible. I think he brings a welcome note of humour to the proceedings which I thoroughly enjoy.
I like Ben Finegold and his sense of humor. Which I think puts me in a minority.
I am not sure it is the best thing with an audience of kids though.
Feb 25, 2016
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#91
@ Firebrand. Curious. What was his reasoning for stating there is no such thing as flagging your opponent?
Feb 25, 2016
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#93
tamatama wrote:
Standing in front of an audience is being a teacher. Or, at tertiary level, a lecturer or a professor. It's the job. He is paid to do that, it's his job.
Being rude to learners is not an accepted pedagogical approach. Try that in any educational institution and he'd be fired, pronto. (Well, not sure he'd ever get hired actually). Has he been fired from St Louis yet?
There is a place for humour in education, most certainly. There is room for differing approaches. But there is no place for seeking to insult learners. Education is about learning and the learners, it is not about the teacher. This grotesque thinks its about him, and how funny he is through being rude. Ugh.
He just comes across as an unpleasant person.
(I am an educator btw - once a school teacher, now a uni prof.)
It depends. In general I agree with you but, as usual, there are exceptions to the rule.
The best (language) teacher I had in high school was a verbal virtuoso who at times used language that many people might consider rude. He was brilliant though and every single pupil in graduation year passed his class with an A (or in our system 8 out of 10 minimum).
Feb 25, 2016
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#94
Doesn't seem like Ben's audience thinks he's a jerk. Plus he gets more requests than any other lecturer on St Louis Chess Club. If someone refused to shake my hand and embarrassed me in public then I would get mad too.
Feb 25, 2016
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#95
lolurspammed wrote:
Doesn't seem like Ben's audience thinks he's a jerk. Plus he gets more requests than any other lecturer on St Louis Chess Club. If someone refused to shake my hand and embarrassed me in public then I would get mad too.
Well, would you shake someone's hand if they stood in front of you and took their finger out of their nose and then offered their hand?
Seems like the guy is a sort of poser, then. I suppose you can't say someone is beating his/her opponent either?
Feb 25, 2016
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#97
@ Firebrand.
Of course there is such a thing as trying to flag your opponent. Although generally it's a very bad idea since most people that are 'time-trouble specialists' are fully prepared for that.
YES
Feb 25, 2016
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#99
nobodyreally wrote:
lolurspammed wrote:
Doesn't seem like Ben's audience thinks he's a jerk. Plus he gets more requests than any other lecturer on St Louis Chess Club. If someone refused to shake my hand and embarrassed me in public then I would get mad too.
Well, would you shake someone's hand if they stood in front of you and took their finger out of their nose and then offered their hand?
Sure! If someone refused to shake my hand after I was scratching my butt I would shun them from my life forever.
He is my favorite. He is smart, funny, fast, and super knowledgeable. I feel like I am in great company with him and very appreciative that he is teaching us. RW