haydensydney
Established Member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2008
- Posts
- 1,375
I've been pondering this for quite some time and thought I'd start a thread on it to get the thoughts of others.
Time and time again, we see threads from new and old members alike, proclaiming that they have had enough of the AFF community - that it's all too much and that they wish to leave and never return.
One can only imagine the violent stomping of the keyboard as the disgruntled member composes what would seem to be their last will and testament. Tales of unfairness: from mods who are trigger happy with their decision making to roving bands of VA fanbois - it's obvious that these members are stretched to a point where they just can't take it any more...
So why tell the community that your leaving? Surely a more modest way to leave would be to just... disappear. So what does it actually mean to declare your departure and what does this seek to achieve for the departee? I read such departure threads with enthusiasm and love reading the pleading "Don't go"s and collective "Oh Noes!" from other members who would appear to be a state of mourning (either on a meaningful or superficial level).
What amuses me most however is when these members 1/3/6/12 months later, reappear out of nowhere and declare that they are back - like a messiah arising from the dead. Were they ever gone? Or did they lurk the threads and boards of this community for the entire time that they were gone.... seething with the desire to be able to contribute; to add a thought or share a personal experience. I know that when I received my one and only infraction on AFF (I was out of action for 7 days), it was like a torment to not be able to contribute. It ate me up and I'm sure i'm not alone.
I guess my little rant here today, is to ask: why dedicate a thread to informing the group that you opt-out? Surely a more flexible approach would be to down tools and simply not contribute, leaving you the ability to come back later if one desires. And lets face it - we're all addicted to AFF (and some to FT + A.net as well) so why voluntarily bar yourself from something that you love so much?
Note: I am not writing this in response to any particular member who has left, rather the collective departees that I have seen go
(and come back?) over the years. Interested to hear your thoughts!
Time and time again, we see threads from new and old members alike, proclaiming that they have had enough of the AFF community - that it's all too much and that they wish to leave and never return.
One can only imagine the violent stomping of the keyboard as the disgruntled member composes what would seem to be their last will and testament. Tales of unfairness: from mods who are trigger happy with their decision making to roving bands of VA fanbois - it's obvious that these members are stretched to a point where they just can't take it any more...
So why tell the community that your leaving? Surely a more modest way to leave would be to just... disappear. So what does it actually mean to declare your departure and what does this seek to achieve for the departee? I read such departure threads with enthusiasm and love reading the pleading "Don't go"s and collective "Oh Noes!" from other members who would appear to be a state of mourning (either on a meaningful or superficial level).
What amuses me most however is when these members 1/3/6/12 months later, reappear out of nowhere and declare that they are back - like a messiah arising from the dead. Were they ever gone? Or did they lurk the threads and boards of this community for the entire time that they were gone.... seething with the desire to be able to contribute; to add a thought or share a personal experience. I know that when I received my one and only infraction on AFF (I was out of action for 7 days), it was like a torment to not be able to contribute. It ate me up and I'm sure i'm not alone.
I guess my little rant here today, is to ask: why dedicate a thread to informing the group that you opt-out? Surely a more flexible approach would be to down tools and simply not contribute, leaving you the ability to come back later if one desires. And lets face it - we're all addicted to AFF (and some to FT + A.net as well) so why voluntarily bar yourself from something that you love so much?
Note: I am not writing this in response to any particular member who has left, rather the collective departees that I have seen go
(and come back?) over the years. Interested to hear your thoughts!
I'd be likely to just fade away.
It had to have reduced in October and September and earlier - surely. That's bad. Would it be ironic that my bad eyesight/headaches probably caused by looking at iphone too much are going to reduce my numbers?
