Where is everyone?

[hawkward]

Sept 4, 2024 14:20:23 GMT -6 bobyn said:

Sept 4, 2024 14:15:22 GMT -6 sterling said:

Maybe it was just the Ohio COVID thread that ruined everything. 😂😈

Ohio ruins everything.

Oh thank God someone said this.

[hawkward]

As one of the super active then left people, I really resonate with a lot of what’s been said here, especially sterling and STP. There are times when I miss This Place (especially recently with politics) but mostly I just feel like I have nothing to say. When my real life involves life or death daily, I’m not in the mood to be told that I’m a bad parent for honoring my alphabet kid’s feelings or whatever.

But there are a lot of you that I miss and think of daily. I just don’t want to become one of the people that pops in, tells you how awesome my life is (or not), and then disappears again.

[angelashly]

Sept 4, 2024 14:15:22 GMT -6 sterling said:

Sept 4, 2024 11:19:53 GMT -6 brux said:

It was Covid.

I think a lot of people were anxious and stressed for months on end. It brought out judgement in all directions, which is understandable to me in hindsight, but likely caused festering wounds even today.

Also, the disruption to my daily work and child care life broke some of my reliance on this place as a source of entertainment and time wasting.

And then, like STP said, I’m basically a whole human older and wiser than I was when I started here 12 years ago.

Maybe it was just the Ohio COVID thread that ruined everything. 😂😈

😡😡😡

We had to have our own because people complained



*sarcasm font on

[jaygee]

I still don’t know wtf was going on in Ohio. Were you locked down or not? Did you have toilet paper? Did you win at Covid? I’ll never know.

[adelbert]

This thread shows that lots of people are still here even if they post less. I've made real friendships through this board and love hearing different perspectives about tons of random stuff. This board is a bit of my American perspective when I'm talking to friends here in Germany and I would miss it if it was really gone. But I also don't think any small group of people can really find stuff to discuss and argue about every single week. It seems normal that it all ebbs and flows. But I also sometimes wonder how long it will really be active and what we'll be talking about in a few years.

[angelashly]

Sept 4, 2024 15:16:58 GMT -6 jaygee said:

I still don’t know wtf was going on in Ohio. Were you locked down or not? Did you have toilet paper? Did you win at Covid? I’ll never know.

We didn’t honestly talk more than most but I think there were a lot of us.

We won at Covid at first but then our governor did what he does best and bowed down and we opened up

We are extra I’m aware so it honestly was nice to have the thread.

[thestranger]

I’ve been reading in bits where I can so I’ve just caught up. There’s a few different perspectives on reasons, I think they’re all valid to be honest, but it is really sad to see the board die off like this. Who knows, maybe after a break people will come back with some new life stories 🤷‍♀️

[STP]

Sept 4, 2024 15:36:25 GMT -6 thestranger said:

I’ve been reading in bits where I can so I’ve just caught up. There’s a few different perspectives on reasons, I think they’re all valid to be honest, but it is really sad to see the board die off like this. Who knows, maybe after a break people will come back with some new life stories 🤷‍♀️

You’re posting under an AE.

So either you’re one of those toxic people, or you know this board isn’t safe.

Kind of underscores the point, either way.

[thestranger]

Sept 4, 2024 15:47:58 GMT -6 STP said:

Sept 4, 2024 15:36:25 GMT -6 thestranger said:

I’ve been reading in bits where I can so I’ve just caught up. There’s a few different perspectives on reasons, I think they’re all valid to be honest, but it is really sad to see the board die off like this. Who knows, maybe after a break people will come back with some new life stories 🤷‍♀️

You’re posting under an AE.

So either you’re one of those toxic people, or you know this board isn’t safe.

Kind of underscores the point, either way.

I’m posting anonymously, and I haven’t said or done anything wrong, this is a good example of why new people don’t come here.

[STP]

Sept 4, 2024 15:58:02 GMT -6 thestranger said:

Sept 4, 2024 15:47:58 GMT -6 STP said:

You’re posting under an AE.

So either you’re one of those toxic people, or you know this board isn’t safe.

Kind of underscores the point, either way.

I’m posting anonymously, and I haven’t said or done anything wrong, this is a good example of why new people don’t come here.

And a perfect example of why old ones are staying away 👍

[thestranger]

Sept 4, 2024 16:01:27 GMT -6 STP said:

Sept 4, 2024 15:58:02 GMT -6 thestranger said:

I’m posting anonymously, and I haven’t said or done anything wrong, this is a good example of why new people don’t come here.

And a perfect example of why old ones are staying away 👍

I’m not getting into this with you, I have hardly posted here, and in the last few days I’ve done and said nothing wrong.

[fb]

The beginning of Covid turned me into a person on this board I can confidently look back on and say I regret. In hindsight, I was so past anxious and scared and I reacted so shortly. So 4 years out it’s easy to see and say and recognize but yeah, woof.

I miss a lot of people and the general activity of the boards but I get it because I basically just lurk now, too.

[STP]

I think everyone should give themselves a break for Covid time emotions.

I agree that’s when things changed, but I’ve personally ascribed any related beef heart during that time to “once in a generation active traumatizing.”

No one’s pandemic self was their best version.

[sudsy]

Sept 4, 2024 16:11:03 GMT -6 fb said:

The beginning of Covid turned me into a person on this board I can confidently look back on and say I regret. In hindsight, I was so past anxious and scared and I reacted so shortly. So 4 years out it’s easy to see and say and recognize but yeah, woof.

I miss a lot of people and the general activity of the boards but I get it because I basically just lurk now, too.

I think this can be said for most of us during that time. Both on board and IRL. Try to give yourself some grace. COVID was traumatizing, and everyone processes trauma differently.

[origami]

Sept 4, 2024 16:09:09 GMT -6 thestranger said:

Sept 4, 2024 16:01:27 GMT -6 STP said:

And a perfect example of why old ones are staying away 👍

I’m not getting into this with you, I have hardly posted here, and in the last few days I’ve done and said nothing wrong.

Literally no one said you did, they said the reasons people aren’t posting as much. Not for nothing but coming in here and not revealing who you are is a good reminder that random lurkers are here and feels a little voyeurisitic. I’m certainly racking my brain for how I could be identified and whether or not I need to be more mindful/delete things.

Truly no offense to new people who want to post, but this is an offshoot board of an offshoot board. Anyone who finds us is doing it by googling key words about specific issues or has been following for a while. It doesn’t feel great to get lectured about turning new people away from that. and then I’m like “oh yeah, this is the public internet. Maybe I should stop posting because random person with few posts is watching and has been for literal years.”

[lifesaverz]

Sept 3, 2024 14:01:19 GMT -6 angelashly said:

I’ll say what others probably won’t and probably won’t agree with

It got not fun here for a while. It was like everyone had to have the same opinion or there was a fight. I missed the times before where we could have conversations and not agree and it not get ugly.

I’m sure others will say I’m part of the problem and maybe I am because I got tired of sitting back and saying nothing.




It could also just be I guess we are growing

I agree with you on this, & I'm glad you put it into words. I also have felt like slowly there was less & less room for variance of opinion of any kind. I remember HE & some other main posters commenting to that regard at one point. It went from probability of getting verbally attacked on a few main issues, to many more issues, making it feel less comfortable for a lot of discussions. I know for myself I have definitely held back from posting at times, due to feeling you need to have your armor on before you do, & not always wanting to deal with that. I'm sad that over time I think the "if you don't agree or think like us, you're a POS" mentality started getting to a lot of the main posters too, & I don't blame them for stepping back after so many escalations & maybe not feeling understood. I just wish the space for what's okay to think or feel hadn't gotten so narrow or pushed so many people out. I'm okay with gentle pressure & holding people accountable, but I think it has definitely gotten more nasty than that many times, & everyone has their point at which they'll step back from that.

[Eagles]

Sept 4, 2024 11:19:53 GMT -6 brux said:

It was Covid.

I think a lot of people were anxious and stressed for months on end. It brought out judgement in all directions, which is understandable to me in hindsight, but likely caused festering wounds even today.

Also, the disruption to my daily work and child care life broke some of my reliance on this place as a source of entertainment and time wasting.

And then, like STP said, I’m basically a whole human older and wiser than I was when I started here 12 years ago.

I'll never forget that you sent me amazing cookies when I was really, really low.

I'm glad I joined This Place, even though it's changed.

[brux]

Sept 4, 2024 17:03:01 GMT -6 Eagles said:

Sept 4, 2024 11:19:53 GMT -6 brux said:

It was Covid.

I think a lot of people were anxious and stressed for months on end. It brought out judgement in all directions, which is understandable to me in hindsight, but likely caused festering wounds even today.

Also, the disruption to my daily work and child care life broke some of my reliance on this place as a source of entertainment and time wasting.

And then, like STP said, I’m basically a whole human older and wiser than I was when I started here 12 years ago.

I'll never forget that you sent me amazing cookies when I was really, really low.

I'm glad I joined This Place, even though it's changed.

i forgot about that but im so glad i did. You deserve all the cookies your heart desires!

[brux]

Nothing is more off-putting than someone trying to engage in a “genuine” way but also trying to hide their obvious history on the board.

Do better, Stranger.

[wasabi]

I honestly check in all the time, but I’ve gotten to where I feel weird sharing, moreso because it’s just like, so boring lol.

*I feel and understand a lot of the more serious aspects of why people have stepped away as well.

[origami]

Sept 4, 2024 17:42:57 GMT -6 brux said:

Sept 4, 2024 17:03:01 GMT -6 Eagles said:

I'll never forget that you sent me amazing cookies when I was really, really low.

I'm glad I joined This Place, even though it's changed.

i forgot about that but im so glad i did. You deserve all the cookies your heart desires!

Twice in our years together you tried to send me a cake and I just couldn't let you but let it be known, I'd be willing to share my cake delivery info to you. I'm just bad at receiving gifts or compliments.

I do have a very special place in my heart for This Place. I've met one of my best friends here and had many other close friends. Hell, I've flown all over the continent for board friends AND received them in my home. But I know I at least don't post here to entertain the lurkers, and it hasn't bothered me so much that it's slowed down on the main board. I know how to connect with the real ones, and am straight up annoying on the politics board.

[zoeylucy]

Sept 4, 2024 14:15:22 GMT -6 sterling said:

Sept 4, 2024 11:19:53 GMT -6 brux said:

It was Covid.

I think a lot of people were anxious and stressed for months on end. It brought out judgement in all directions, which is understandable to me in hindsight, but likely caused festering wounds even today.

Also, the disruption to my daily work and child care life broke some of my reliance on this place as a source of entertainment and time wasting.

And then, like STP said, I’m basically a whole human older and wiser than I was when I started here 12 years ago.

Maybe it was just the Ohio COVID thread that ruined everything. 😂😈

Bahahahhaahhahaa

[Eagles]

Sept 4, 2024 17:42:57 GMT -6 brux said:

Sept 4, 2024 17:03:01 GMT -6 Eagles said:

I'll never forget that you sent me amazing cookies when I was really, really low.

I'm glad I joined This Place, even though it's changed.

i forgot about that but im so glad i did. You deserve all the cookies your heart desires!

I love you so much Bruce!

[angelashly]

Sept 4, 2024 17:48:23 GMT -6 wasabi said:

I honestly check in all the time, but I’ve gotten to where I feel weird sharing, moreso because it’s just like, so boring lol.

*I feel and understand a lot of the more serious aspects of why people have stepped away as well.

But we used to be so boring 😂😂 I know randoms were always a topic in the UO threads but I like just shooting the shit too

[thestranger]

Sept 4, 2024 17:44:12 GMT -6 brux said:

Nothing is more off-putting than someone trying to engage in a “genuine” way but also trying to hide their obvious history on the board.

Do better, Stranger.

I mean if it’s an issue I’ll just see myself out? The privacy thing is for everyone, no?

[angelashly]

Covid for sure opened up my eyes to the fact that some on the board could get away with whatever while someone else who said the same thing or was doing the same thing took 7 pages of judgement. And no it wasn’t just those that we all disliked

[icedcoffee]

Sept 5, 2024 6:09:39 GMT -6 angelashly said:

Covid for sure opened up my eyes to the fact that some on the board could get away with whatever while someone else who said the same thing or was doing the same thing took 7 pages of judgement. And no it wasn’t just those that we all disliked

A lot of it seemed like it depended on who reacted first sometimes. Like if someone posted something and it got called out by a poster, the additional arguments would go on for pages and pages. And then other times if I was reading late, I'd see something and be like huh I can't believe no one said anything to that lol

[brux]

Sept 5, 2024 6:07:53 GMT -6 thestranger said:

Sept 4, 2024 17:44:12 GMT -6 brux said:

Nothing is more off-putting than someone trying to engage in a “genuine” way but also trying to hide their obvious history on the board.

Do better, Stranger.

I mean if it’s an issue I’ll just see myself out? The privacy thing is for everyone, no?

no one is asking for your SSN.

[angelashly]

Sept 5, 2024 7:21:23 GMT -6 icedcoffee said:

Sept 5, 2024 6:09:39 GMT -6 angelashly said:

Covid for sure opened up my eyes to the fact that some on the board could get away with whatever while someone else who said the same thing or was doing the same thing took 7 pages of judgement. And no it wasn’t just those that we all disliked

A lot of it seemed like it depended on who reacted first sometimes. Like if someone posted something and it got called out by a poster, the additional arguments would go on for pages and pages. And then other times if I was reading late, I'd see something and be like huh I can't believe no one said anything to that lol

I do think some of that happened but there are also some who just do not get called out.

Whether that be because people like them more or don’t want to deal with the outcome it became noticeable and I definitely typed and deleted things because I didn’t have it in me.

I say this as someone who is still regularly posting here so clearly I got over it but I do post differently

[fb]

Sept 5, 2024 7:21:57 GMT -6 brux said:

Sept 5, 2024 6:07:53 GMT -6 thestranger said:

I mean if it’s an issue I’ll just see myself out? The privacy thing is for everyone, no?

no one is asking for your SSN.

Right this is so weird?

Either you're an old poster and you're refusing to say your name we all would know (for whatever reason)
Or you're a lurker who "knows" us but we don't know, and refusing to just say that (because, well, kinda proving some points)

What in the world, thestranger