Reading Other Topics

This is in relationship to Aynjell's topic on the death of NAO. However, since i don't quite think it pertains to letting the site die per se, I decided to drop this into Other Topics. Now that I've finished my rambling (and likely unecessary) introduction, lets move on with the post.

I've come to the conclusion that it might not be a lack of readership or commitment to NAO that is causing the site to go through a slump. Someone, I do believe it was ecthelion, pointed out that every site goes through its phases and right now NAO is in a slump. What if we've all just somehow managed to come across a great big wall called writer's block? It is possible isn't it?

I know I've read several threads here, that was interesting and I did think of some response but then when I went to actually type it up and send it I drew a great big blank. It isn't like the idea all of a sudden went a way, its just that when it came down to putting it into a format that would be even remotely intellegable, I just couldn't.

Therefore, we aren't dead. We're just as a little family of intellectuals, going through a bit of a mental drought. Thoughts on this anyone? Or am I just rambling on and chasing some sort of ghost?

--Jami

--Jami Yeah, that's gonna sting in the morning.

My post wasn't to say let's end it, rather, it was a call out to rile up those that used to care. Also, that very well may be. Writers block usuaully comes when you've lost your zeal, and if you can't gain approval if you seek it, why seek it? Such thinking could cause anyone to lose thier zeal. And half the purpose of NAO is to gain approval of other writers. The other half is to get to know them and learn from them.

I should be ashamed of myself.

I agree, i remember when i first discovered this board while searching for something else i was lost for so long, opening posts in new windows thinking ive got to read all these, some just for intake some to reply to, it was and still is a breath of fresh air where i can come and get the world in order away from the maddaning crowds evidently.

When i first arrived i see the big boys and girls ranking high seemingly authoriarian full of intelligance and personality alongside humour, advice, points of views and so much food for thought im not trying to do a halle berry speech but it is admirable when people gain status right, and i remember thinking ill never have a gold star or rating capabilitys with my style. Then i got a 100% rating on my second post which put a smile on my face, because i was being real and giving advice from a situation i knew stuff about.

I think sometimes though if i or someone doesnt think about there post a little and write a quick response with nothing to back up their point, or maybe its not a point its an opinion, a remark e.T.C, without a certain display youll get marked down with justifacation. But it teaches you your not always right and in general wherever you are you should be able to stand your ground and actually mean what you say and know why your saying it, plus it might be wrong.

I think i wrote a few silly posts that obviously wouldnt get applauded so my ratings dropped and i hang back a little thinking oh, i wont post a remark here for the sake of agreement ill try and make a worthy point over there to keep in the green which is stupid really, like harold_maulde said somewhere in his ever expanding ether, say and feel what you want and it doesnt matter if the whole world choose to disagree, your still you (it was along those lines). I loved the "your still you" it can be elaborated upon, because unless your morphing into your partner or slowly becoming one its never going to work and if you end up by yourself youll soon realise if you were being yourself back then. If you like house, shes likes slow soul love songs which drive you nutss, make a joke out of it and tell people you dont want to end up deaf or something you know, its so important to keep our differances when with somebody thats how it works so dont start saying, its alright if youu would rather listen to starsailor on loop.

Actually i think harold_maulde is an amazing character, his posts always demand a reading, he explains his ramificated thoughts and theorys to the point your actually in his head trying to pull yourself out thinking, i know that feeling, i been there, but could never explain it like that. Its amazing the feelings the text you read can give you, maybe the storys differant and you choose garage or rap instead of composed symphonys but the feelings still as strong and hungry, like the feeling this text is giving you right now!

I think its all good, and theres more reading than writing but thats life, once you know two plus two is four you dont ask that question again so interaction varies around places. I like the way if you want to partake here you might have to question yourselve, like when i wrote post 37795 and left the wrong end of a stick out for rosyxxx to grab. I like the fact that null dont know me but seeked out something for me for no gain, i know its all small things and its only a message board the voice in the back of my head says if a internet forum is causing you concerns you need to get out more cos its just a immaterial forum, but i get a lot out of it, just dont have enough time generally to relax nowadays and write back, i have posts i been meaning to read for sometime still saved in my favourites.

Top ten forums, #1 netalive
p.S martins post 34356 is sheer quality, i love it when someone talks about the exact thoughts you thought you were the only one thinking and making those observations.

Every cloud eh!

themoreyouknowthemoreyouknowyoudontknowwhatyouknow

I suppose collective writer's block is a possibility, but personally I have just been too busy with my junior year of high school to devote the time I once did to NAO. Now that I'm finding more time, particularly on weekends, to spend my hours talking about things on forums, I've been posting more. It may very well be that some of us just don't know what to write about, but based on Aynjell's thread, it seems as if most people's problem at the moment is simply having too much going on.

It's very difficult, personally, to spend a day at school in multiple AP courses, to come home and do homework and projects, to hopefully make it to a few Young Life meetings a week, and then after all that to sit down and write a highly substantive and intellectual post that others can enjoy. This may be all the worse for those of us who are grubbing for good ratings instead of good things to say (hopefully I am not guilty of this), who need to spend a lot of time revising and rewriting posts.

Here, I suppose the writer's block will be a bigger problem. If we concern ourselves too much with how we are sounding, it will be harder to let our ideas flow out into the written word. In my opinion, Netalive will only return to what it once was if we cease to worry about the opinions (and specifically, the ratings) of others regarding our own ideas and focus on making our points; more importantly, on refining our points through our discussion. This is what Netalive is all about. And, I would say, this is why most of our best and most original writers seem to have rating scores in the 80s. But the point is, this community is here to test ideas, not words, and to find out how we as individuals can shape our understandings through the contributions of very different people. If this is our mindset, then NAO should have nothing to worry about.

-ecthelion-

This is understandable, i know i sure reached that point. Almost in tribute to NAO, once id finished writing that was it, sure life continues and things kept happening that i could write about, but it felt like id vented my writing for long enough.

It is possible that many may share my experience, they may leave and then come back when they feel they have the need to write once again.

However, i do find the lack of ratings disturbing. So im trying to rate as many posts as i can at the moment. More ratings means people can post more means more posts means more ratings. Or something

As for me, this is the last post im allowed for the next 14 hours.

take care