Originally Posted by VEGANGELICA

As a new member, I'll give my perspective: I haven't seen any decrease in quality at MB over the last 5 months and, in fact, the longer I stay the more interesting I find the site, especially because through it I've met quite a few people whom I care about (such as AwwSugar, VeggieLover, kayleigh, Schizotypic and others). I admire the oldtimers, too, because I see how their friendships must have built up over the years. I hadn't expected to have meaningful personal connections via MB, and so that was a pleasant surprise.

I feel the lounge discussions add to the site because I view music as being, fundamentally, people's expressions of their reactions to life...and so the issues discussed in the lounge section are usually reflected somehow in music. I don't see a dichotomy there. I also like trying to get a broader picture of people by seeing their opinions both on music and anything else under the sun as we lounge in the lounge.

If I had more time, I would definitely dive into the music journals more often than I do, because they are a great way to learn about music and get ideas about songs to listen to...especially ones in genres that are new to me. I agree with those who recommend visiting the journals if ever they feel there is a lack of substantive commentary on music in the regular music board.

Now, I have never been accused of writing short posts (heh heh!), and I do try to put effort into them. I enjoy the debates, including and especially religious ones. In non-computer life, how often does one get to discuss religion in depth with those who have a very different perspective? Not often, in my case. I think the debates in an online community are an especially good way to learn about the opinions of (relatively well-off, English-speaking, computer-owning) people all over the world!

If I'm ever feeling that things look dull at MB, then I just go check out what boo boo, Tore, addidass, FD, Neapolitan, the vegetarians, and other favorites have last posted...and, of course, I comment on the writings of people in the songwriting section, my MB home.

I suppose the one part of MB that could be troubling to me is the occasional antagonism or maliciousness people show...but I understand people have their moments (days, months) of ill-humor, and sometimes people vent life frustrations here. I haven't noticed any increase in antagonism. There have only been 2 people whose posts during the last 5 months made me fear they might be psycho-murderers.

Also, to be honest, I miss the Unfan. His perma-banning, for me, was one change over the last 5 months that I view as a loss. I am sad that he can never visit my thread again and blast my vegan songs, then finally discuss with me exactly where he and I differed in our opinions, as we were doing shortly before his perma-banning. I wish he were allowed to come back. I wish there were a democratic, member-based way to veto a perma-banning, such as by posting a thread on behalf of a member whom moderators want to ban, and if enough people (a critical mass) say to keep the person in the community, then the permanent ban gets reduced to a temporary ban. I suppose it is a challenge when one individual is hurtful to some but not others, because of course one wants to respect and protect those who have been hurt (called mean names, etc.).

Originally Posted by butthead aka 216

i havent i refuse to in fact. it triggers my ptsd from yrs ago when i thought my ex's anal beads were those edible candy necklaces

Originally Posted by Dr. Rez

Keep it in your pants scottie.

Originally Posted by bandteacher1

I type whicked fast,

Originally Posted by pourmeanother

I've been on a few forums for a long time- long enough to see that every forum goes through a cycle. Early stages- few quality members, all tight knit. Then slow expansion with lot's of idea generation, new topics, and a good mix of quality members and increase in quality. Then there's saturation, all of the quality members have already joined- more "annoying" (in the eyes of the originators) posters join, The tight knit core of members who have been around sh!t all over the noobs. The originators slowly leave, stating that "the site has really gone downhill" or "it's not like the good old days of (insert year)". Every now and again one of the originators comes back making a big charade out of their return, and then disappears again. What's left is a bunch of new posters, of lower quality, with no new topics to discuss as everything has been talked about. There's a mass exodus and then all that's left is a very select few who only come around for nostalgia's sake (when you've been with a forum for 7 years, it's hard to say goodbye), and then a few stragglers who sit around wondering why nobody is responding to their threads.

It looks like I joined up right around saturation.

Originally Posted by Janszoon

What? No. No. No. No no no.

Originally Posted by Schizotypic

Thank you so much! I've been wondering lately how many members feel this way... is there some division of class here?

Originally Posted by Vanilla

Yeah, I'm V-class.
Basically you are saying that you, me, and everybody else who joined up around the same time are causing the downfall of this website? I think we've gotten along fine with the older members and in my opinion the community is one of the strongest I've seen online.