Don't let a couple members leaving drag you down

[Ron Jeremy 2,032]

Lately, I’ve been seeing talk on the forums, about how select members leaving is going to be the end of the place. Well, to an extent, I can see how feeling this way is justified. Heck, it sucks seeing members leave. However, the end of the forums? Nope.

 

We have 6.7k members. Sure, like all forums, a lot of those are one-time posters, banned accounts, etc. but still, a large chunk of that are actively posting members. This point of mine can be confirmed further by simply scrolling down to the bottom of the main page of the forums, and seeing that the amount of users currently online is actually pretty high.

 

And a good chunk of those members are posting as well. I don’t know if I can get exact numbers, but this place moves so fast that it’s difficult to keep up on new threads. On a dying forum, you could use the “new content search” every couple hours or so and would be able to keep up the forums easy. But on these forums, if a person really wanted to keep up with every single thread, they’d probably have to spend all day hitting “F5“.

 

Along with these things, you’ve got the blogs, the status updates (which are used a bit much, and more like a shoutbox than status updates, which is a bad thing, but that’s just my opinion), and the Extranet stuff; The forum Skype group, the Minecraft server (I don’t know how active that is, since I don’t play the game), the TF2 server, which gets played on (mostly on Saturdays) as well as Synchtube Fridays.

 

Things change, members leave. It’s just a thing that happens to forum. But the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic fanbase is strong, and grows stronger every day, so of course the best MLP:FIM fan-forum on the internet is going to be thriving. There are always things to discuss, conversations to have, friendships to make, so on and so forth. A couple members leaving the forum is not gonna be the end of the place. Sure, it sucks to see them go, but well, it happens. Some members are more liked by the community than others, and it’s going to have an impact on the place, sure. But, corny as it sounds, wounds heal. New members fill in the places of old members who left, more things happen that make the forums better.

 

What I’m saying is, don’t let the fact some members are leaving drag your forum experience down. MLPforums will always be MLPforums.

[Dimitri Hammer 3,645]

I'll never leave unless I die or end up in a coma. Looks like all of you are stuck with me until the end! Ah Ha!

 

I'm sure that this is just a phase. People move on, I can't though. We'll grow stronger through this together!

[XUNUSEDXXX 3,459]

Well. I'm pretty sad at the hearing that Arylett is leaving, so I'm still a bit in the dumps. I'll get over it though.

 

On topic, I agree with this on some aspect and not on others. Sure, a few members leaving isn't gonna be the end of the fandom, but some people are largely attached to those people who left, and when they see a really good friend leaving, they get pretty sad and have the motives to leave too.

 

Relate it to a best friend moving away. Sure, you can't quit where you live without moving, but it brings you down in the dumps and really kills your attitude and happiness.

 

When you make a new friend on here, it isn't just insta-sentiment. Those who leave cuz others do probably do because a lot of their close friends on here are gone, and it gives them less foruming pleasure and an overall worse time here.

 

"Make new friends?" Sure, that's a good idea, but it's probably not going to make your forum experience all happy dandy again. Think about if your really good friend from school died. Sure, you can make other friends, but the reality that they're gone leaves a lingering sadness and despair inside of you.

 

I'm not saying those examples are me because they aren't I will get over all of these cool people leaving, but it's just my two cents on the topic.

[Dusty Soul 2,611]

Agreed! People leave, and while it is sad, it's truly not the end of the world. I honestly couldn't leave... Anywho, yeah I think people go a little overboard when someone leaves.

 

Though if that person was really close to that person, then I can see why they would be really upset. I would be, I've never really had one of my friends leave the forums, but I have had friends IRL move away... That is really hard and I think that the people that were close to the members that leave feel.

Edited September 27, 2012 by Sharp Staccato

[NavelColt 22,880]

When founding staff leave, others will be picked to fit their place and help carry the site onwards. When regulars leave, others will take their place. Change is 120% inevitable, and the sad fact is some people can't tolerate it. There are others who have lives that shift, and that's what takes them away instead. The bottom line is indeed that if you consciously act pessimistic about the future, then that future is truly going to be that much more likely. I don't believe in being foolishly optimistic, but having optimism in healthy amounts is good in any situation. It's terrible to lose such awesome members, but we'll move forward, and things will continue on.

 

I would like to take this moment to mention that the welcoming plaza has dropped in activity for a while now. New regulars is always something a forum hopes for, but if there's only one or two replies in half the topics, where there were four to ten on average a few months previous, then the chances for new regulars may in fact wane, because people don't get as big an impact of a welcome. Just want to point that out.

Edited September 27, 2012 by ~Chaotic Discord~

[Twiliscael 3,960]

But when the members you look up to and the members who really were friends of yours leave, it's pretty disheartening. Out of all of the "big" members who have left, I liked every single one of them, most of them being at least aquantances. Sure, people come and go but I can't help but feel sad. And a little angry.

[XUNUSEDXXX 3,459]

To add, I know this place will get better. Especially with the coming of Season 3, the forums will be booming with activity and new people. I'm looking forward to that

[Dimitri Hammer 3,645]

To add, I know this place will get better. Especially with the coming of Season 3, the forums will be booming with activity and new people. I'm looking forward to that

 

New comrades to talk to! I'm so excited already!!

 

I can't wait! I need to calm down now.....too buzzed off of life right now. Well anyway I can't wait for new Comrades!

[Ron Jeremy 2,032]

Well. I'm pretty sad at the hearing that Arylett is leaving, so I'm still a bit in the dumps. I'll get over it though.

 

On topic, I agree with this on some aspect and not on others. Sure, a few members leaving isn't gonna be the end of the fandom, but some people are largely attached to those people who left, and when they see a really good friend leaving, they get pretty sad and have the motives to leave too.

 

Relate it to a best friend moving away. Sure, you can't quit where you live without moving, but it brings you down in the dumps and really kills your attitude and happiness.

 

When you make a new friend on here, it isn't just insta-sentiment. Those who leave cuz others do probably do because a lot of their close friends on here are gone, and it gives them less foruming pleasure and an overall worse time here.

 

"Make new friends?" Sure, that's a good idea, but it's probably not going to make your forum experience all happy dandy again. Think about if your really good friend from school died. Sure, you can make other friends, but the reality that they're gone leaves a lingering sadness and despair inside of you.

 

I'm not saying those examples are me because they aren't I will get over all of these cool people leaving, but it's just my two cents on the topic.

 

I know that friendship isn't instant, and that it's kind of a blow to have a close friend leave, but what I'm saying is, you really shouldn't let that get to you as heavy as it is with some people. And even then, it isn't like the people who leave are dead. They frequently leave a means for their friends to contact them. While it sucks to see them leave the forums, well, that's their choice, and their actions, not yours. You are still free to enjoy the forums and such. I'll be blunt. If a person leaves a forum just because one member left, they really didn't care much about the forums anyway.

 

When founding staff leave, others will be picked to fit their place and help carry the site onwards. When regulars leave, others will take their place. Change is 120% inevitable, and the sad fact is some people can't tolerate it. There are others who have lives that shift, and that's what takes them away instead. The bottom line is indeed that if you consciously act pessimistic about the future, then that future is truly going to be that much more likely. I don't believe in being foolishly optimistic, but having optimism in healthy amounts is good in any situation. It's terrible to lose such awesome members, but we'll move forward, and things will continue on.

 

I would like to take this moment to mention that the welcoming plaza has dropped in activity for a while now. New regulars is always something a forum hopes for, but if there's only one or two replies in half the topics, where there were four to ten on average a few months previous, then the chances for new regulars may in fact wane, because people don't get as big an impact of a welcome. Just want to point that out.

 

 

That's quite a good post there. Just thought I'd actually say that instead of just leaving it as an impersonal brohoof.

 

You make an excellent point about the welcoming plaza. I'm not sure what's caused people to stop posting in it as much, but either way, we need more greeters. Heck, the amount of people who greeted me when I first joined are a big part of why I stuck around. Don't believe me? I actually said so back then.

[Vicke 3,189]

I have to agree. Making tons of status updates about how doomed the forum is NOT going to help. In fact, it will only make everything worse

But i think we all can agree that Arylett leaving the forum is sad.

But instead of spamming status updates, wish her luck!

Thats what she would have wanted.

Edited September 27, 2012 by Vicke

[XUNUSEDXXX 3,459]

I know that friendship isn't instant, and that it's kind of a blow to have a close friend leave, but what I'm saying is, you really shouldn't let that get to you as heavy as it is with some people. And even then, it isn't like the people who leave are dead. They frequently leave a means for their friends to contact them. While it sucks to see them leave the forums, well, that's their choice, and their actions, not yours. You are still free to enjoy the forums and such. I'll be blunt. If a person leaves a forum just because one member left, they really didn't care much about the forums anyway.

 

I do like your last sentence.

 

But we aren't the ones to say how people conduct themselves emotionally on this forum when it comes to this kind of stuff. Some people may be more sensitive to see another member go and take it worse than so say you or me. This is a really awkward example, but think Romeo and Juliet. One sees the other go down, then he/she does too.

[I used to be a stranger 7,993]

Forums don't die. Their quality diminishes if remnants from "The Glory Days*" get nostalgic and whine about how the forum changes. Therefore, if we keep a good attitude and not get all whiney on everything, quality retains because it inspires new members.

 

I would like to take this moment to mention that the welcoming plaza has dropped in activity for a while now. New regulars is always something a forum hopes for, but if there's only one or two replies in half the topics, where there were four to ten on average a few months previous, then the chances for new regulars may in fact wane, because people don't get as big an impact of a welcome. Just want to point that out.

 

Suddenly, I have decided that I will discover a new forum section!

 

Adventure ho!

[Shiki 5,855]

 

I would like to take this moment to mention that the welcoming plaza has dropped in activity for a while now. New regulars is always something a forum hopes for, but if there's only one or two replies in half the topics, where there were four to ten on average a few months previous, then the chances for new regulars may in fact wane, because people don't get as big an impact of a welcome. Just want to point that out.

 

Ever since I made that status update... everyone has taken attention towards it. "xD Not sure if coincidence or no.

 

I've only been a member here since July, and I've seen dozens and dozens of people leave. Not quite a good thing. On other forums, I've seen worse; people purposely leaving in groups of 10 or so. It was ridiculous. (I don't go to any other forumanymore) I've numbed to people leaving from my life because I've seen it too much online, already. I just tell myself that they're betters off, because if they don't want to stay, then leaving would make then happy, and people's happiness is important to me. Can't be greedy and ask them to stay and be unhappy.

 

Besides, as it's been said, more will join. That is, if we actually act like a forum. Everyone seems too preoccupied mourning the disappearance of their mods to actually act like a forum member. No new people want to join some place that doesn't actually do stuff. Duh, lulz.

[Jon the VGNerd 885]

Even though Arylett left the forums, nopony shall ever forget her at all. As for me, I'll never leave the forums, no matter how demanding my college gets, or how old I get (even when I turn 50). Plus, since I'm wanting to join the FIA in two years or so, I may become less active, but not entirely leaving, considering that the races are tough-as-nails and no holds barred, I'll at least add a MLP sticker on a race car that I was chosen to race with, to show that even a skilled racing driver always has a soft spot when it comes with MLP, especially while trying to win first place, no matter what.