Open question to new and old members regarding dragons (no dragons, it's about old posts)

[Osloq]

Recently I've seen quite a few topics and ideas repeated within these forums. It seems the old standby of pummelling newbies with the search bar in regards to what they think is their brand new idea has failed somewhat as not only are there old threads reappearing but it's happening at an increasing rate. While I've never been an advocate of shutting down threads with such comments in my time here, it's becoming increasingly tiresome to click onto the escapist page and see nearly the exact same titles grace the hot topic rectangle after only being absent for a couple of weeks.

While my voice has rarely been heard (look at my post count in comparison to Max's, he joined after me dammit! :O) I've often watched these forums with quiet interest, or at least kept my ranting under control most of the time. That's why it's even more irritating to see the same issues, games, movies, dreams, whatever retreaded by every new member. Surprisingly I don't actually blame them for this. While the search bar is an easy option to suggest, only the most similar titles will check enough words to warn off someone thinking of posting something , at least in my experience. Also while it would be easy to target those who rewards these posters with responses, I don't blame them. It's human nature to forget some thing that's been buried for a while and it's only because I've always tried to consider my responses to these threads that I remember at all (or it's only been a week since a similar thing was posted up). While no one seems to be to blame, at least in my opinion, I'd like to know what both the older and newer members think of this. Why is it alright to post something that plenty of people have already done to death? Why can't you ask a question if anything similar has been dead for months/years/days/hours(/seconds?)?

I wasn't there for the "golden days" of the Escapist which some of the older members sometimes mention but I've been around long enough to think of myself as a veteran of the website (with like cool scars and aviator sunglasses and stuff) and while I know how the course of this ship runs it's those longbeards I'd especially I'd really like to hear from. I'd like to stress that everyone's opinion is equally valid to me and all who feel strongly enough to have an opinion should post it up. I'm actually interested beyond getting new badges (although if 10000 want to view the topic I'm cool with it) so if you want to PM me I'd happily accept them.

I'd like to try and keep this reasonably civil as well so if you insult someone suggest spooning afterwards or something. You might make a "good" friend in the process. There's nothing as pointless as a locked thread so if you feel strongly about it, use reason to turn them to your side rather than sheer volume of obscenity .

Edit:

I'm slightly confused at what the OP wants me to post about

I'm sorry that I didn't make it clearer. I re-read my original post and my aim for this thread seems pretty non existent (possibly due to the late hour or some slight inebriation). I'm interested in how members, new and old, view the posting of subject matter that has already been covered. Since it sorted of organically evolved into feelings about the site, I'm cool with posts about the general state of affairs as well. Hope that makes it a tiny bit clearer.

 

[PurpleRain]

You can tell who the older members are here. They are not the ones that say: Use the search bar. That fad is dead. They are no the ones with over 10,000 posts. Posts matter little. The older forum members come from a time where this was less of a gaming site and more of a writing place with the target audience of gamers.

The older members have either a lot to say, ripe with logic for we're sick of posting boring and used jokes, or we post little, but it is sweet and to the point. (That or just find the beer mug as a badge)

On your questions of 'Why can't you ask a question if anything similar has been dead for months/years/days/hours(/seconds?)?' is either because it was and is a stupid topic, had a lot of bad in it, or it just wrapped up and is no longer needed. Mind you, this place is a forum, a discussion ground. What is the point of repeating a discussion when you could read the last one and gain all the answers you ever could from it?

 

[DeadlyYellow]

They are no the ones with over 10,000 posts.

Not technically. I've seen a few fresher members than I who have well over 10000 posts.

I do not mind repeat threads, as long as they are somewhat spaced and sensible. I remember a few days ago another "COD vs Halo" thread popped up, followed by numerous others during the same day. Then there are people looking to gain hot topic badges by stoking a religion flame war. As sensible as the community had been, it is still an internet site and prone to be rampaged by the same stupidity and annoyances that infect every forum.

 

[PurpleRain]

They are not the ones with over 10,000 posts.

Not technically. I've seen a few fresher members than I who have well over 10000 posts.

Oh of course. But I'm saying if you're looking for who the old members are by their post count, you're looking in the wrong place. There is a lot of these new folk who have over 10,000.

 

[Osloq]

You can tell who the older members are here. They are not the ones that say: Use the search bar. That fad is dead. They are no the ones with over 10,000 posts. Posts matter little. The older forum members come from a time where this was less of a gaming site and more of a writing place with the target audience of gamers.

The older members have either a lot to say, ripe with logic for we're sick of posting boring and used jokes, or we post little, but it is sweet and to the point. (That or just find the beer mug as a badge)

On your questions of 'Why can't you ask a question if anything similar has been dead for months/years/days/hours(/seconds?)?' is either because it was and is a stupid topic, had a lot of bad in it, or it just wrapped up and is no longer needed. Mind you, this place is a forum, a discussion ground. What is the point of repeating a discussion when you could read the last one and gain all the answers you ever could from it?

I agree, I actually don't like it when people resurrect topics. I understand if it's one that was done such a long time ago that there are only one or two people who even remember it but that understanding doesn't mean I enjoy the fact that something has been retreaded. I'm interested in why people seem to be doing it so much lately and actually hear some reasoning behind it.

Personally I think the problem that has arisen is a quest for views, replies, etc. (just as DeadlyYellow said) as opposed to the more intellectual/discussion purpose from when I joined and before. The badges mean more than actual conversation so people put up threads about something that can't be discussed beyond a one sentence response.

 

[Mr.Pandah]

Well, you say you've been lurking around here for a while now. Surely you've seen topics like this very own arise. Search bars will/will not be used. Even when they are used, if a topic is over 1-2 months old, I find no point in resurrecting it. They might as well make up a new one, and either put their own spin on it or get some young blood in on the topic at hand.

I hear about this "they just do it for the hot topic badges" and things of that nature, but I don't really see that as anything thats boasted about around here. Which in turn leads me to believe that the people that do post repeat topics, just do it because they actually want to hear some opinions. Not once have I looked at a person's badges and said "Oh...that guy has that badge? He must be quite the conversationalist."

I say you can ask a question of something similar, since this is a forum after all. Some people are newbies, so granted, the search bar might not be the first thing they use, and some people just want to feel like they're part of the conversation. I know that sometimes when I post in topics, people just glance over my posts without really even reading them. Especially after ones that I feel really got my point across.

In essence, I find that people who "repeat" topics, just want to have some sort of discussion that they are involved in.

 

[PurpleRain]

The older forum members come from a time where this was less of a gaming site and more of a writing place with the target audience of gamers.

I do wish Escapist Magazine was still a magazine, but oh well. Whatever increases traffic seems to be the status quo for featured content.

Pretty much. I feel that the new looks, designs and layout of videos grander then articles have made more of a pull for a wider audience. The forum is where they go to in the end, so jazzing it up and making it more friendly with badges and user groups seems the only right move by them. But of course it opens the place up for the people it never attracted before and at a faster pace. Now, I just feel bad that I lost a lot of friends because of this, but from their point of view, it's only the right thing. Making the $$$ is a popularity contest and they have all the Brad Pitts.

 

[Mr.Pandah]

The older forum members come from a time where this was less of a gaming site and more of a writing place with the target audience of gamers.

I do wish Escapist Magazine was still a magazine, but oh well. Whatever increases traffic seems to be the status quo for featured content.

Pretty much. I feel that the new looks, designs and layout of videos grander then articles have made more of a pull for a wider audience. The forum is where they go to in the end, so jazzing it up and making it more friendly with badges and user groups seems the only right move by them. But of course it opens the place up for the people it never attracted before and at a faster pace. Now, I just feel bad that I lost a lot of friends because of this, but from their point of view, it's only the right thing. Making the $$$ is a popularity contest and they have all the Brad Pitts.

I think back in the day though, the club was too exclusive. I've read a few things back from the "golden era" that some older members refer to it as, and while I'm able to wrap my head around what was discussed, I find it hard to believe that the general populace of the internet would actually spend their time writing such eloquent and well-thought out posts like there were back then. I am saddened that people left because of the changes on the Escapist, but really? If the format of the site changes, is that enough to push you away from it? Where else is there really to go here on the internet? =/

 

[cleverlymadeup]

You can tell who the older members are here. They are not the ones that say: Use the search bar.

i will only say that if the topic is less than a week or two old, i'd say the zombie apocalypse threads too but they've stopped for the most part

however as the saying goes it's quality not quantity, a lot of the newer people with the 10k+ posts have a bunch of posts that say "this" or something equally bad

 

[Mookie_Magnus]

Even though I've only been here since January, I like to consider myself a veteran member of the Escapist. I've seen quite a lot more than many other people have... I was here for the very first episode of There Will be Brawl... I was here during the February /b/tard raid, and I was here before many of the older members were Perma-Banned.

It bothers me to see the very few new members who actually post with pride and regard for others, like Diagonal up there, completely pushed out of the way by a torrent of new users who can't post a capital letter to save their lives. Hell, some users older than me are guilty of this. It gets me thinking: "We have users whose first language is not English, and they are posting one-hundred times better than these n00bs who hail from America, where if you don't speak English, you're chastised." It makes absolutely no sense. But, I fear this is the natural progression of any forum. As it increases in popularity, the quality of the user-base decreases.

We have an excellent team of Moderators... We do. However, they can't catch everything. This is exacerbated by people who don't know how to let bad threads sink. I myself have many-a-time had to send PM's to a moderator, in order to get them to notice a thread badly in need of moderation. Is it their fault, no. It's the fault of the people who post in these awful threads, saying things like; "Here comes a flame war" or "Thread lockdown in 3...2...1..." and they don't hit the report button.

What also irritates me, is the attitude of some of these newer users. There have been recent postings by users with atrocious typing, holding zero regard for the English language. Their responses to people who usually tell them to post better are things like; "lol, it just teh internet, rofl" or "i go on teh web to realx, thi sisnt skool" To which my response is usually "No, it's not 'just the internet' it is 'The Internet'. The Internet is the single most important thing in the world today. Don't believe me? Try and imagine what gets done in this modern world without using the Internet in some way, shape, form, or fashion."

These people with these careless attitudes have no right to take the Internet so lightly.

 

[NeutralMunchHotel]

These people with these careless attitudes have no right to take the Internet so lightly.

I really hope this is sarcastic. Well, my detector's been broken for a while, so I'll guess it is.

I am what I would consider a 'new member'. I'm coming up to three months here now, and I'd say that with an approx-1380 (ATOW) post count that I'm a semi-regular. Of course, I don't make a particular effort to integrate myself further in the community, as honestly, I have no real desire to. Some people want to run RPs and set up user groups, I'm fine to post my opinions (occasionally get reprimanded for expressing some too strongly) and become a semi-recognised person. I've actually become 'that person with the Philosoraptor avatar' to many, if their replies to my threads have been anything to go by. Anyway... all of that said, I never said I wouldn't want to become recognised or a 'famous Escapist' (if there is such a thing). The way I see it, make 3000 posts and you'll have gotten yourself quite a way there.

I've also done a lot of growing in the time that I've been here. Some of the threads I made in the 'early days of Gilbert Munch' were, to put it lightly, awful. I wont link to any, because I don't think it would serve much of a purpose, but being newish, I can remember the feeling of 'being new'. It's exciting to join such a good forum, but the fact is that there are only so many threads you can do. That, added with the attitude of the decidedly more snippy characters around here (Max, Mentronx [sorry I butchered that]) it doesn't help much. I think I was lucky not to get a harsh reception, (maybe because I used grammar and posted more than a sentance in a post) but if I did then I could see myself being put off.

So, I guess that my point is, it's just as much the fault of some 'old' members being, frankly, dickish sometimes as it is the fault of new members reading the guidelines.

Munch out.

[small]That was one of the biggest non-OP posts I've ever written...[/small]

 

[Mr.Pandah]

I think this thread has been sent a little off track, since we aren't necessarily talking about famous or up and coming people around here.

I really can't stand it when people say "Well I think I'm a veteran on here because of I've seen x, y, and z. Its a website, and unless you earn my respect or anyone else's, you don't need to toot your own horn. If you are that amazing, other people will do the talking for you. Like I said though, this isn't what this topic is about.

This is about posting questions that have been treaded upon countless number of times. Such as "Why so socialist Obama?" or "Religion and You." I've already stated why I think people do it, so you can just go ahead and read my other post, but to just re-iterate my point, people want to feel like they're part of the action. Thats why you see the same topics arise.

 

[Osloq]

Well, you say you've been lurking around here for a while now. Surely you've seen topics like this very own arise.

I did appreaciate the irony of me posting something like this up as I remember a topic very similar to this one a couple of months ago. How I hope mine differs is by actively seeking the opinions of newer members as opposed to the others which were more about the glory days and how it had all gone downhill, that is of course my own personal interpretation. I'm glad you understood what I was trying to do here. This is an honest query as to why it happens, in people's opinions, not some subtle prod at those who do.

 

[CrysisMcGee]

I try to do something different with a topic if it's been done before. Or try to come up with something original, like Have you ever kissed a game?

There is one member that has been here since January 2009. With 11,000 posts. That's about 60 posts a day. Must not do much else in their life.

 

[Mr.Pandah]

Well, you say you've been lurking around here for a while now. Surely you've seen topics like this very own arise.

I did appreaciate the irony of me posting something like this up as I remember a topic very similar to this one a couple of months ago. How I hope mine differs is by actively seeking the opinions of newer members as opposed to the others which were more about the glory days and how it had all gone downhill, that is of course my own personal interpretation. I'm glad you understood what I was trying to do here. This is an honest query as to why it happens, in people's opinions, not some subtle prod at those who do.

This is a topic I'm very well interested in, and unfortunately, it doesn't seem like many people really want to speak up about it, as this thread has next to no posts in it. This makes me a sad pandah.

 

[Lord George]

The real old members are people you'll remember like PurpleRain, he crops up from time to time and his posts are always insightful and thoughtful same with people like Newclassic, its a shame people pay more attenttion to people who simply have huge post counts mostly concerning smart aleck comments that add nothing to the topic at hand, (like a certain reaper).

 

[EchetusXe]

I was here before this account. I never bothered with the forum much really, only when bored. I observed a much older and closer forum as it became stagnant.

I learnt that forums are made by their members. Sometimes when the old faces go, it just isn't the same anymore.

Tends to go like this:

- peak/"Golden days"
CHANGE OR THE SLOW DECAY OF TIME
- a few leave due to real life commitments or perceived negative change in the forum
- a few leave because a few others left before them
- a few leave because they notice a pattern emerging here and decide to call it a day.
EVOLUTION HAS OCCURRED
- a few stay

Those that stay are old dogs. Those that leave at the peak are LEGENDS.

 

[Magnatek]

I've only made two threads so far in my two month long experience here, and I tried to make sure that neither of them were repeats. As far as I could tell, the last post on the last thread before it was made six months before I made that thread.

The real old members are people you'll remember like PurpleRain, he crops up from time to time and his posts are always insightful and thoughtful same with people like Newclassic, its a shame people pay more attenttion to people who simply have huge post counts mostly concerning smart aleck comments that add nothing to the topic at hand, (like a certain reaper).

Sadly, quoted for truth. Most newcomers do look at quantity of posts rather than quality. At least, that's what I did at first.

Those that stay are old dogs. Those that leave at the peak are LEGENDS.

If that's the case, I'll gladly be an old dog, thank you. I like this place, and I don't think I'll leave very easily.

 

[Osloq]

Well, you say you've been lurking around here for a while now. Surely you've seen topics like this very own arise.

I did appreaciate the irony of me posting something like this up as I remember a topic very similar to this one a couple of months ago. How I hope mine differs is by actively seeking the opinions of newer members as opposed to the others which were more about the glory days and how it had all gone downhill, that is of course my own personal interpretation. I'm glad you understood what I was trying to do here. This is an honest query as to why it happens, in people's opinions, not some subtle prod at those who do.

This is a topic I'm very well interested in, and unfortunately, it doesn't seem like many people really want to speak up about it, as this thread has next to no posts in it. This makes me a sad pandah.

I had hoped that the opposite would be the case, by offering a fair platform more people would respond. Unfortunately like a lot of these sorts of threads a small amount of traffic means no one is going to read it. It makes me a sad panda as well.