No more sermons, no more rants.

[Placid Dingo]

The dynamics of the board have changed.  I'm not sure they are always conducive to interaction and the exchange of ideas.  It's either endless mittens or a dogpile.  what's the point?  Yeah, I will fully admit, I come here for entertainment now.  It just isn't the same.  It isn't like it was when we were churning out idea after idea, sermon after sermon, rant after rant.  It's just different.  Chalk it up to different personalities, people's priorities shifting, whatever, this place just doesn't have that kind of chemistry anymore. 

This.

[The Johnny]

I dont post cause when i read a topic, the "discussion" is over and the one liners start, and after those start, no serious response seems to be acknowledged.

And on the rare occasion that i create a new thread with something i consider interesting, it just sinks with a couple dozen views, i dont know if that is a lack of interest in my interests or viewer passivity.

[Eater of Clowns]

While I hate the banal self indulgent bullshit of Open Bar as much as the next, isn't preventing a thread like that exactly the kind of thing PD has always avoided doing?

We've lost a lot of good members, and while we've gained a few it hasn't made up for many of those Roger mentioned above.

As for reaction to actual content post, Roger would know better than anyone whether or not it's changed.  I can pretty accurately say that content that I've started over the years never really took off much, whether or not it's been well received it's never really been paid any attention.  That's not a complaint, by the way, but it seems to be pretty much the same in that regard as it's always been.  Look at Sepia.  Consistently one of the best writers, and consistently one of the least given any attention - which I'm guilty of as much as anyone.

Me personally, I feel pretty disengaged from this place.  My posting habits have remained similar to what they've always been, but I can see myself glossing over most of what I read.  That would be my own thing to figure out though, not a PD problem.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I feel like there is decreasing interest in criticism or debate, and an increase of "look at me!" and "Hey I need some validation" posts. What's the point in critiquing anything or engaging in real discussion when it all results in a nest of passive-aggressive snarking and whining? People say ridiculous things in order to get a reaction and then instead of engaging with people criticizing them or trying to improve their work, they either lash out, or they withdraw and sulk. It's like a whole generation of adult intellectual exercise has fallen out the window, and all that's left is a pile of mittens and butthurt.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Oh, and to add... it seems like no one is interested in being challenged to break out of their prison anymore. We don't want to jailbreak; we all just want validation that our bars are OK.

Don't fucking make me examine my reality tunnel, fuckers! Dogpiling! Meanness! Other buzzwords that stand for "My viewpoint feels threatened and I don't want to have to defend it!".

[Placid Dingo]

I think this myth of 'the real PD' and the beatdown of the noobs who don't seem to fit it is itself damaging. PD can grow in it's own way. Hanging on to a particular vision to me, seems to encourage stagnation.
h
I shouldn't have to say it but if you read this as 'be nicer to noobs', reread it.

[The Johnny]

So "what do?".

Being more "civil" might work, but i guess it could be boring.

Cram sometime spoke of how drama engages people emotionally, and maybe straight out cold or civil debating does not satisfy those needs.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I think this myth of 'the real PD' and the beatdown of the noobs who don't seem to fit it is itself damaging. PD can grow in it's own way. Hanging on to a particular vision to me, seems to encourage stagnation.
h
I shouldn't have to say it but if you read this as 'be nicer to noobs', reread it.

What are you even fucking talking about? "Myth"?

It's ALREADY stagnating, so what are you suggesting be done about it?

[Scribbly]

I try and speak up when I have something to say, and I keep my mouth shut when I have nothing to add. When I do post, it doesn't always go anywhere, but I'll keep doing what I'm doing.

If anyone has a problem with what I do post I hope they'd tell me, or rip into me in the thread. What I don't like more than anything isn't being torn a new asshole, it is being ignored. That's what makes me shut the window and work on something else.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I try and speak up when I have something to say, and I keep my mouth shut when I have nothing to add. When I do post, it doesn't always go anywhere, but I'll keep doing what I'm doing.

If anyone has a problem with what I do post I hope they'd tell me, or rip into me in the thread. What I don't like more than anything isn't being torn a new asshole, it is being ignored. That's what makes me shut the window and work on something else.

I think this is true of most people, to tell the truth.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

Oh, and to add... it seems like no one is interested in being challenged to break out of their prison anymore. We don't want to jailbreak; we all just want validation that our bars are OK.

Don't fucking make me examine my reality tunnel, fuckers! Dogpiling! Meanness! Other buzzwords that stand for "My viewpoint feels threatened and I don't want to have to defend it!".

This.

We either have too much horror here, or not enough.  One or the other.  The trick is figuring out which.

And there's only one way to find out.  More later...I am in very real danger of having an idea, here.

[Slurrealist]

While reading the thread, a thought came to my mind - the "Ulysses project."
Basically, it's about encouraging people writing about everyday life, but in Joycean way - creating from boring events a fascinating, hilarious tale. And the project will be a collection of the "best" ones, or just a collection of the ones.
Maybe it will encourage people to write about daily life, but in a more creative way than the usual "what I did today" style.

[East Coast Hustle]

As much as I hate James Joyce, that idea has some merit.

[EK WAFFLR]

That is actually a good Idea. Starting tomorrow night I'll try it out.

I have a character I have wanted to use for something for quite a while, so why not this?

[Cramulus]

difference of opinion = YOU ARE A FUCKING RETARD

                              ^
                       content cancer

The dynamics of the board have changed.  I'm not sure they are always conducive to interaction and the exchange of ideas.  It's either endless mittens or a dogpile.  what's the point?  Yeah, I will fully admit, I come here for entertainment now.  It just isn't the same.  It isn't like it was when we were churning out idea after idea, sermon after sermon, rant after rant.  It's just different.  Chalk it up to different personalities, people's priorities shifting, whatever, this place just doesn't have that kind of chemistry anymore. 

Yeah,

it's not the same creative trip

I used to bash my head against the wall over it
over and over it

but it's okay, you know?

I came for the projects
I stayed cause it turns out I love you guys