Post by GustaffGlyde on Oct 24, 2006 0:12:19 GMT -5
Simply put, the good ol’ days still exist, and yet they don’t exist. As fab pointed out, it all has to do with the people, and more importantly, the relationships shared between the members. This is clearly evidenced by this thread in which you see some who established relationships with the members of old seem to yearn for the old days, the days which they shared in camaraderie with those old members who have long since fell into inactivity, pulled away by the events of our everyday lives. The newer members, on the other hand, still view this place as we did long ago because they have created a network of relationships which continue to support the forums.
Since, at this point in time, we have no common outside binding factor due to the lack of Legends activity we can only look inward to our fellow members. Legends may still draw people here, but ultimately it will be their ability to establish relationships which will cause them to stay. After all, it would seem that the main reasons people leave a forum are that they either get caught up in life, or they fail to establish any relationships of significance. If the latter proves true, then when discussion surrounding the outside factor begins to wane people will depart, seeking another realm to capture their interests as well as for others to possibly establish relationships with.
It’s natural, really, because as humans we have a psychological need to belong, to have relationships with others, and it is those who lack a sense of belonging that often fall into both physical and mental disrepair. That’s why many roam the internet, chasing after this oft-sought need.
For some, this forum provides them with that sense of belonging, as well as tending to other needs. But for others, the forum has since ceased to provide them with this and as such they have wandered elsewhere where such things can be found. It’s perfectly natural to see members come and go as their needs and desires shift.
The old days were nice, true, but it is ultimately meaningless to simply chase after that which is lost to time when one could instead strive to recreate those days, be they here by working at better relationships with the active members or elsewhere.
One also must keep in mind that forums tend to go through cycles of activity and inactivity, so a period of inactivity does not necessarily indicate the death of a forum, merely that it is entering a state of hibernation until the cycle comes ‘round once again. The cycle, in a sense, mimics the cycle of birth and death as the cycle often marks the entry of new members as well as the departure of others. But that is the way things work, in the end.
If you truly wish to see more activity, it isn’t as though one couldn’t take the initiative and start up new discussions. Anything can be discussed, from current events to what you ate for Breakfast. Find common interests amongst the group, and try coming up with activities and projects that all can enjoy (I always liked the idea of a newspaper of sorts… Heh, people could write Legend-themed short stories (they could be quite short, after all) which would serve as articles. Or just force aarond, BM 1-3, and Mr. McMelty-Cheese to do it… But I don’t trust my ideas too much, so…). Already you seem to have found something in this militia topic I see around every now and then, so try coming up with other ideas.
I suppose I’ve gone on for long enough, though. And in the end I’m not sure if I even made sense… but that’s not important, I suppose.
Cherry pie might work better for that, but I’d have to agree with ya on that latter note…
Since, at this point in time, we have no common outside binding factor due to the lack of Legends activity we can only look inward to our fellow members. Legends may still draw people here, but ultimately it will be their ability to establish relationships which will cause them to stay. After all, it would seem that the main reasons people leave a forum are that they either get caught up in life, or they fail to establish any relationships of significance. If the latter proves true, then when discussion surrounding the outside factor begins to wane people will depart, seeking another realm to capture their interests as well as for others to possibly establish relationships with.
It’s natural, really, because as humans we have a psychological need to belong, to have relationships with others, and it is those who lack a sense of belonging that often fall into both physical and mental disrepair. That’s why many roam the internet, chasing after this oft-sought need.
For some, this forum provides them with that sense of belonging, as well as tending to other needs. But for others, the forum has since ceased to provide them with this and as such they have wandered elsewhere where such things can be found. It’s perfectly natural to see members come and go as their needs and desires shift.
The old days were nice, true, but it is ultimately meaningless to simply chase after that which is lost to time when one could instead strive to recreate those days, be they here by working at better relationships with the active members or elsewhere.
One also must keep in mind that forums tend to go through cycles of activity and inactivity, so a period of inactivity does not necessarily indicate the death of a forum, merely that it is entering a state of hibernation until the cycle comes ‘round once again. The cycle, in a sense, mimics the cycle of birth and death as the cycle often marks the entry of new members as well as the departure of others. But that is the way things work, in the end.
If you truly wish to see more activity, it isn’t as though one couldn’t take the initiative and start up new discussions. Anything can be discussed, from current events to what you ate for Breakfast. Find common interests amongst the group, and try coming up with activities and projects that all can enjoy (I always liked the idea of a newspaper of sorts… Heh, people could write Legend-themed short stories (they could be quite short, after all) which would serve as articles. Or just force aarond, BM 1-3, and Mr. McMelty-Cheese to do it… But I don’t trust my ideas too much, so…). Already you seem to have found something in this militia topic I see around every now and then, so try coming up with other ideas.
I suppose I’ve gone on for long enough, though. And in the end I’m not sure if I even made sense… but that’s not important, I suppose.
On second thought, it was like warm apple pie. No, no, I don't know how many of you are old enough to have this disscussion.
Cherry pie might work better for that, but I’d have to agree with ya on that latter note…
