What bothers me about forums and online life...

[Alex_UK]

I am a a total adopter of the interweb, and love being part of this (and other) online communities. One thing has always bothered me a little - I suspect for most of us, it is a solitary interest - i.e. we contribute on a solo basis and no one else is involved. But, suddenly (I've seen it happen, as I am sure you have too) someone disappears off the face of the (virtual) earth - did they get creamed in a car crash, had a massive coronary, got abducted by aliens, or simply got a bit bored? TGW's "from the grave" thread is mainly to blame for my maudlin thoughts, because there are often posts from people with 2 or 3 hundred to their name - who I haven't seen post since I've been a member - I can't believe they've all been banned!

So, do I put it in my will that my Executors post on here of my (hopefully not untimely) demise, or do we have any other suggestion - or do I stop necking a bottle of red wine before posting!

I'm making light of it, but there is a serious point in there somewhere. I think.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Alex,
Oh dear, what have I done?
Sorry to be (even only partly) to blame for your current sad demeanor. I know what you mean though!
There are all sorts of reasons for folks not still being here. Many just find their time should be better spent doing something else. I know just a few months ago, I spent a lot more time here, because my family circumstances meant I had a lot of time alone in the evening. That ratcheted back a lot since then, closer to where I was before.

I guess other folks decide other fora or hobbies are more suited to them.

I don't think Marco & Steve are running a Sweeny Todd type operation!

[Alex_UK]

I don't think Marco & Steve are running a Sweeny Todd type operation!

OMG - I hadn't considered that - I bet they are!

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Alex

Despite what some might think Exterminations are not that common, a few too many recently, but that's the way of it sometimes.

A lot of folks who join do vanish over time for many reasons, sadly we (the management) don't know most of the reasons. Chris is right in what he says above...and that covers a lot of them...but not all.

I do miss the contributions of many who have moved on. Such is life.


Regards D S D L

[The Grand Wazoo]

The vast majority of new members (I suspect) join because they have a specific goal - this might be to find the answer to a single question or to find some help in a stage in their system evolution. The ones who stay (without being too disingenuous to them or AoS) are only here through a happy accident!

Why don't you start a thread - 'Why Did You Join the Art of Sound?'

I suspect, I'd be proved correct.


P.S. - Don't eat the pies!

[Alex_UK]

I reckon "Why didn't you leave the Art of Sound" would be more telling - I'm sure you are right as to why people join (in my case, a pointer from Stanley B because of the Caiman I was about to order) - I guess the crux is what makes people stick around - obviously the good company!

[Spectral Morn]

I reckon "Why didn't you leave the Art of Sound" would be more telling - I'm sure you are right as to why people join (in my case, a pointer from Stanley B because of the Caiman I was about to order) - I guess the crux is what makes people stick around - obviously the good company!

Indeed....


Regards D S D L

[The Grand Wazoo]

I reckon "Why didn't you leave the Art of Sound" would be more telling - I'm sure you are right as to why people join (in my case, a pointer from Stanley B because of the Caiman I was about to order) - I guess the crux is what makes people stick around - obviously the good company!

So.................why did you stick around?

[Alex_UK]

'cos I keep thinking maybe one day some good company might join the forum!

[Steve Toy]

I'd like to think there was more to it than just good company and banter etc. If you are looking for that, you'd be better picking up the phone...

The right atmosphere here should provide the kind of backdrop that facilitates stimulating discussions that are unhindered by the dogma of the measurement freaks, for example.

People come and go (and return) for all sorts of reasons:

1) Their initial enquiry has been answered either satisfactorily or not.

2)They have found other things to fill their time.

3) They have had a hissy fit over something.

4) They don't get or like the distinctive flavour of this place.

5) They are objectivists.

6) They think Marco is really scary so they run away and hide

7) they follow someone else through the exit as a show of solidarity or something.

8) Rarely they are a persistently negative influence and so get the push. Sometimes their departure is announced, on the odd occasion it isn't