Do people tire of audio forums?


Not sure how much interest this will generate since members who've left audio forums, or at least this forum aren't here to comment.

 

Anyway, I've been one to come and go from forums of all kinds over many years, this for any number of reasons. So recently I've been lurking again, checking in perhaps once a week, came across a recent post where a member stated he was leaving because he felt unappreciated. Got me to thinking how much this sentiment enters into people decisions to participate or not participate in this forum, or any other forum for that matter.

 

Based on my observations and experience, being unappreciated and/or underappreciated is inherent to the hobby/obsession. Unless one has very wide experience with equipment in their home system or systems they have only limited empirical evidence to offer. For instance I'm exclusively involved with SET, custom build and modification. only limited numbers of members have interest in this, so appreciation only goes so far.

 

Seems to me, a whole lot of people on these forums speak on things they've only heard from others, or have very limited experience with, suppose this makes them feel important. And then some are provocateurs, get their need to be appreciated fulfilled in this manner, guess arguing feels like appreciation for them. Based on my observations the need to feel appreciated is important for people both to continue to participate and in decisions to leave.

 

I've also been perusing some past posts where members are leaving and remarking about how audiogon was a more friendly place at some time in the past. I don't recall a time when that was true, there have always been bully's, provocateurs, self important people here. I believe this nostalgia comes from a time when this individual was still making many new audio discoveries. I suspect many of us settle down into satisfactory and/or dream systems and no longer have much interest in new discoveries. I for one don't see this forum ever changing much, members come and go, always newbies and oldies, same arguments and agreements go on and on.

 

For me, interest in talking about audio waxes and wanes, never get tired of listening to music over a fine system, just get tired of talking and thinking about everything that goes into creating and maintaining a system. Feeling like you're repeating yourself and seeing the same old posts gets stale for me, so I leave. If past repeats itself I'll likely find audio talk to be of interest at some point in the future.

 

Just interested if others have similar experiences or observations.

 

sns

@charles1dad Charles, you are one of the most positive voices I've encountered in any forum. Go Blue!

@hilde45 I've been gleaning info from your Rel sub posts, very helpful for setting up the pair of Rel subs I purchased, must be selling big time as I'm waiting on backorder for both.

I think sometimes you can get tired of the forums. However, I have gotten good info on some forums.  Great tweaks and great music suggestions.  But I think people talking wreckless has destroyed the expected normal discourse.  People can’t agree to disagree.  People wanna get the last word. Done with that. Just wanna enjoy the music after a long day.  I just had someone be super pushy on a thread I did 

@sns

In my estimation, Audiogon best audio forum, widest range of interests and information available on interwebs

If you factor in all aspects you can make a strong case for this site. I will say however there is much that I appreciate about WBF. Members there don’t seem to express jealousy/envy/resentment toward those who have higher levels of disposable income and choose to purchase higher priced audio products.
 

I have always believed that what an adult spends their money on is their business and not mine. One of the weaknesses of this site is the public display of envy and resentment coupled with the snide and condescending commentary. Don’t begrudge those who have more, that’s petty in my opinion.

@sns

Thanks for your very kind comments above. Go blue!!! 😊👍

Charles

Athens around 400 BC

Ortofon asks Euphonix

"You ever get tired of coming to the Forum dressed in your finest toga arguing about philosophy and who has the best slaves?"

Euphonix replies "Not really. Surely not going to stay home with Martha and the kids."