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Text taken from Dave Ulmer’s post to sci.geo.satellite-nav

A little more than 5 years ago, on May 3 of 2000, Dave Ulmer hid the first geocache (called by him a “stash hunt stash”), and geocaching has been evolving and growing ever since. If you ask 100 different people to define geocaching you’ll get 100 different answers, and people (myself included) have definite feelings about what constitutes “real” geocaching. I’m not as interested in the specifics of the debates as I am in how people draw their own lines including and excluding different types of geocaching and geocaches; between the natural evolution or growth of diversity in geocaching and its fracture as it morphs into too many different things.

At a basic level geocaching makes use of a GPS unit to hunt for a specific location; beyond that everyone starts drawing their own lines. A so-called “traditional” cache reflects the original post from Ulmer in that it will have posted coordinates, trade items, and a log for recording your adventure. For some, geocaching begins and ends there. Multi/offset, mystery and puzzle caches all involve an extra degree of work (mental or physical) before leading the geocacher to the cache container. Virtual caches don’t have a cache container, instead asking the finder to answer questions about the location they are taken to. Locationless, or reverse, caches require that you locate a specific object and log its coordinates. Event caches may not have logs or trade items, although they often do, but instead focus on a gathering of geocachers at the given location. Moving caches are like “traditional” caches in regards to logs and trade items, but are moved to new locations by each finder, so that the next finder can enjoy a “First to Find” (FTF) of their own. Some people place micro caches into their own category based on the size. There are numerous other variations of geocaches in play currently and doubtless others to arise in the future, but these are the major types at the moment.

I believe that diversity is good for geocaching and will help it meet the needs and wants of its global audience, but everyone draws lines as a way of defining our world and the things in it. In this regard geocaching is no different than Cheez Whiz, the Rolling Stones, dogs vs. cats, gay marriage, dressing twins the same, “Study Hard” and “Hang in There” posters or the death penalty: We all have opinions and beliefs shaped by our experience and upbringing. Individuals and organizations involved in geocaching make their decisions to include or exclude the various types of geocaches for good reasons (to them) – but at what cost? Geocachers and geocaching organizations need to find and maintain a balance between supporting the diversity and/or evolution of geocaching while the fracture of the pursuit into simply a bunch of related activities.

I know I am guilty of drawing lines ... I don’t like locationless caches – never logged ’em, never will. Other people avoid mystery/puzzle caches (“geocaching isn’t about solving puzzles”), virtual caches (no logs), micros (too small), don’t consider events as geocaches (no hunt/too easy); we all define geocaching in our own way ... no problem ... yet. The problem comes when individuals and organizations go beyond simply playing the game their own way, and start telling others their interpretation of the “right” way to geocache. I’m not hurting anyone by not seeking/logging locationless caches, but I have crossed the line when I tell people that they are wrong to seek or place them (Fun Police Alert!!!).

Luckily addressing this problem (opportunity?) is easy ... people and organizations need to follow their own convictions about geocaching while avoiding forcing those same convictions down the throats of other geocachers. Simply avoid caches you would rather not seek instead of trying to convert people to your way of thinking. If a geocaching organization differs from you in terms of the way they see geocaching, just ignore that portion of the way they geocache or look elsewhere. A world without debate and disagreement would be a boring place with much less innovation; so it’s a good idea to allow, even encourage, diversity in geocaching.

Treat people and organizations with respect even (especially) if they have a different take on what geocaching is and should be ... who knows they may be right!