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Post by anewleaf on Apr 23, 2015 16:04:04 GMT -5
Is it just me, or does anyone else notice this too? Some posters will start a thread (for instance, regarding a particular dilemma) and not come back to respond. Maybe it's just the areas in which I post? Or maybe I'm just a thread-killer?
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Post by papermoon on Apr 23, 2015 16:06:06 GMT -5
Click on the menu bar for "latest"... There are always so many new posts it's exhausting!
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Post by anewleaf on Apr 23, 2015 16:23:42 GMT -5
But, but...I mean the threads in which I've participated It's always disappointing, especially if it's on a topic that I find very engaging.
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Post by dtesposito on Apr 23, 2015 16:41:25 GMT -5
Anewleaf, I think participation is down in general, I don't know if the membership is down, or people are less likely to join in, or what.
For the number of members we have, and the desperate situations many of them are in, and the fact that this site is supposed to be an action-oriented site (STEPPING OUT of squalor) I'm often disappointed by how few people participate--especially in the action threads. This isn't really new though, it's been this way all along.
I know some people lurk until they're comfortable, and some lurk and pick up tips without ever posting, but it's sad that folks don't at least TRY more of the opportunities that this site offers. Action threads, game threads, challenge threads. These threads should be packed with people trying to get their homes under control. But they're often quite slow.
I also notice that a lot of people are afraid to post anything that goes the slightest bit against the grain, and that's sad too--people are different and will have different opinions. This is about the safest forum people will find, so it should be possible for people to voice opinions here. If someone dissents, so what--it's an anonymous forum. No better way to get your feet wet expressing and defending an opinion.
As for specific threads, sometimes people don't have time to read everything--on days when I'm concentrating on working hard, I sometimes only go to the action threads or to the blogs of a few people that I follow regularly--I don't want to get distracted by some of the other threads. If there's a topic you're especially interested in, post asking for more opinions--that'll bump it up to the top and more people will notice it. And, they'll see that someone really wants to hear their opinion so they'll be more likely to post.
Diane
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Post by anewleaf on Apr 23, 2015 17:02:29 GMT -5
Good points, dtesposito. Admittedly, I've never been one for the action threads myself (well, not in regard to cleaning, anyway). And I can understand people not having time to read everything-especially on threads that go on for several pages. And I suppose I can understand people not wanting to post anything potentially inflammatory. I mean, it seems you can't very well go onto any forum without being jumped on for daring to be a voice of dissent (I know, as I've been piled on many times for doing just that!) It gets tiresome. But I do understand what you mean. I live in a place that is incredibly conformist and it is utterly depressing. I guess I thrive on creative or decorating/design-minded conversations and it's disappointing to me to find threads on these very topics, yet so little activity I guess I should darn-well create my own thread, eh?
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Post by def6 on Apr 23, 2015 17:06:47 GMT -5
Hello : A new leaf Threads dying after you put your two cents in is merely a coincidence. I find your posts to be very honest and informative not to mention entertaining (with a splash of naughty) at times. Keep being yourself!
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Post by charis on Apr 23, 2015 19:08:16 GMT -5
anewleaf--thank heaven I am not the only one who sometimes thinks "OMG, I'm a thread killer!". But like others are saying, I think its confirmation bias as opposed to an actual thing.
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Post by dtesposito on Apr 23, 2015 19:12:20 GMT -5
I can understand people not wanting to post anything potentially inflammatory.I don't think it's that--of course, I don't want to see inflammatory either. Inflammatory is purposely saying something just to rile people up--especially if you're troll-like and seek out a board and then post something that you know is the opposite of what everyone on the board believes. Or to say something you do believe, but to say it in a mean-spirited, rude, purposely hurtful way. There's a difference between starting a thought-provoking discussion where people will disagree, and being inflammatory. But I mean that people don't want anyone to disagree with them. That they're hurt if someone posts in disagreement to something they've said. Which is inevitable because we're not all the same, and we're all coming from different lives and experiences, and it's actually HELPFUL to hear different viewpoints. When someone disagrees with you, it doesn't mean you're wrong, or that they think you're stupid or something--it means they're expressing a different opinion. You can take or leave any opinion, including anything that someone says about you personally or about something you've posted. I know we have many people here who have had hard lives and trauma and that may have taught them to keep their opinions to themselves. What I'm saying is, if that describes you (in general), at some point it would be good to try to overcome that, if you want to change that negative aspect of your life. This is a very good place to do that, because compared to other internet forums, the people here (with very rare exception) are pretty nice and accepting. AND, it's anonymous, in that you're not standing face to face with someone, which is much harder when you have a disagreement. So it's a good place to practice the skills of expressing your opinions, and learning that it's okay if someone has a different one than you do. But this is a bit of a digression, isn't it. I just wish everyone who doesn't participate on this site would do so! The more the merrier, and the more--the more helpful it is to everyone else. Diane
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Post by hiding on Apr 23, 2015 20:15:25 GMT -5
There are a lot of members, aren't there?! Wow. 3912 last time I looked. Besides the factors you mentioned, I think many of us are shy about speaking up or speaking at all. Look at my screen name and avatar for one. So many of us have been badly beaten up for hoarding and other things. Consequently, I think it takes quite awhile to get up the nerve to post on a forum.
Diane's suggestions about bumping your posts to the top is a good one. I think they will likely get more activity that way.
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Post by dtesposito on Apr 23, 2015 21:09:31 GMT -5
Hiding, when you consider how many people post regularly, the number of members is surprisingly high. I know that some of the reticence to post is due to past trauma, and I'm not saying anyone is wrong not to post--I'm just saying it would be great if more did. And if the people who did post would try more of the participation threads--because as much as I love to talk about hoarding/squalor issues (and I do love to talk about them ) in the end we all have to get up from our computers and do the work. It sure is easier to do that when you have company and accountability from fellow members. Diane
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Post by hiding on Apr 23, 2015 22:30:04 GMT -5
Hiding, when you consider how many people post regularly, the number of members is surprisingly high. I know that some of the reticence to post is due to past trauma, and I'm not saying anyone is wrong not to post--I'm just saying it would be great if more did. And if the people who did post would try more of the participation threads--because as much as I love to talk about hoarding/squalor issues (and I do love to talk about them ) in the end we all have to get up from our computers and do the work. It sure is easier to do that when you have company and accountability from fellow members. Diane I completely agree. Now why don't I participate in the action threads? I don't know but I think it's worth examining.
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Post by saffron on Apr 23, 2015 23:08:00 GMT -5
I find that I pretty much stay on my own thread, not because I'm being anti-social, but I have to keep focused on what I'm doing. I get side-tracked and don't get anything done! Sometimes, I venture out to other threads to "go visiting." That's what I call it. I should try to be more involved in the action threads. Yes, I think I will try it!
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Post by angela on Apr 23, 2015 23:20:27 GMT -5
dtesposito could you list some of the threads you would like company on? I'm willing to try..
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Post by Unswamping on Apr 24, 2015 0:07:18 GMT -5
anewlife ive been a member for about ten months now and ive noticed that participation ebbs and flows. You are not a thread killer, i felt the same way in the beginning too. Lately, for me, my particpation has been down on various threads because i am working on a big home project and its very difficult. My attention has been focused on that. I think that my particular pattern is to read and post alot while im thinking about how to attack various areas of my house. Then once i get into action mode, i am very focused on what i am doing in my house and participate less on the forum. When i get stuck, i tend to go into chat instead of a thread. I love talking about art, crafts and creative things too. Its hard right now as this is the space im working on. I think other creative members might have the same problem. Its hard to talk about creative endeavors if you don't have the space and access to supplies because the house is hiarded or in squalor. If some one doesnt have functional living spaces like a kitchen and bathroom, its hard to be in a creative mindset. Starting your own blog in the private blog area might be a good idea. It would be a place for you to talk about creativity and you can welcome people to join you. Your blog is what you want it to be. People here are in different parts of their recovery. Some people join and discover its not for them. Maybe they arent ready to confront the squalor. Maybe they lose access to the internet. Some people recover and leave the forum, moving on with their lives. Some people are just starting to physically work on their homes, some peopke are in maintenance and a bunch of us are somewhere in between. I hope you keep posting.
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Post by sauberkite on Apr 24, 2015 0:36:01 GMT -5
I like to think they are all off cleaning up.
I am new here so I haven't noticed a difference. Although looking down the list of who posted last, my name comes up a few times.
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