Bridging the Gap
Aug 9, 2016 9:59:32 GMT -5
Post by donk on Aug 9, 2016 9:59:32 GMT -5
So hanging out with two of the very few characters I like to think of as "real friends" that I've made on the Internet, I realized that there are (at least) two very distinct factions within the alt community....ForumHeads like I once wash, and TubeHeads like I've sorta become lately (though obviously hanging on to my roots)
This is totally understandable, as some some people don't feel they have the writing skills, the attention span for reading, or generally just don't like the typing that the forums require, and you can always dicuss in the comment section anyway. Conversely, some people prefer the anonymity or like me even the "meditational" quality of writing (and reading) and/or are not interested in the characters and anctics...or just don't feel like listening/watching/wasting time on videos or whatever.
While there are people at either extreme for an infinite number of reasons (I usually hate the high level generalizations I just made in the previous paragraph, but I think it helps my point)....most of us fall in between. TubeHeads like to chat about the videos, and ForumHeads love to find new stuff on the Tube. Neither like to deal with the bullshit of the one they don't prefer*, So I propose trying to make this place a conglomeration of all of it...a nexus point in the alt-media madness.
Not that I'm trying to gain a bigger audience...though I am dangling the hook for some more participation...but I originally started this NOT really wanting to have to deal with other people, hoping peeps that didn't want the same old shit would chime in (more often) but not caring if anyone actually did. Well, I'm actively trying now encourage more input...while I took to other forums and even the Tube for that, my friends' situations have me thinking this thing could fill niche.
One of them, CW Chanter, has a following that likes to comment...but the nature of YouTube forces him to make videos pointing out the comments...they are scattered so far among his numerous videos it is easy to miss the jems contributed. The other, Christine, created a forum with what you'd think is a perfect platform for feedback, she creates a "blog post" type OP on her forum...but the small community that formed on EE is tight and apparently not visible or inviting to anyone outside the handful of peeps that always post, whereas she finds tons of diversity and stimulating conversation when she posts it up on the Book (I guess the third estate of the alt media).
I'm not deluding myself that I can convince ANYONE to post here, but I think after watching the enthusiasm here in this "google hangout" that started around discussing a live broadcast and took on a life it's own:
Join the conversation on Hangouts: hangouts.google.com/group/FLkO8XZm3RmIn74n1
...that maybe the next Internet mini-cult can be based instead of around the personalities, we make it the ideas that CW and Christine (and I) were going for in our creations, and that's in creating (never ending) conversations...with the only "authority" being my bitchiness when stuff starts turning into the same old shit.
I doubt this idea will get any legs, but this morning I felt like trying. This place started as deposit of my ideas and a sort of self therapy to work out the thoughts in my addled brain...I think not too dissimilar then what CW did for his "40th b-day" present, learning about himself through commentary on the information he consumes...on a platform that invites audience community) feedback. I wanted to allow for conversation like he does by pushing the comment section, and Christine did pretty much the same thing with creating a forum for her friends. I'm ok talking to myself and puttin myself out there, but am hoping for criticism and new ideas. I'm willing to change things around (to an extent) to make this more inviting, so please provide any suggestions...one thing I DON'T want is attention for it's own sake..don't like "marketing", don't want anyone to come that doesn't have some context
Anyway, rambling (and probably turning people off) as usual...my point (I guess) is sort of that I came to the alt media looking for answers, found that the "truth" is not always easy...or what it seems, and learned that ultimately I came to learn the importance of self-reflection. This is my attempt at creating a mechanism for self-relfection on the community level. It doesn't have to be this, it doesn't have to be here, but I am calling to anyone like-minded in this to join me in figuring out how we can create an inviting, diverse, open place...rather than the same old cliquey "authority" based social constructs we seemed programmed into accepting as "normal"
This is totally understandable, as some some people don't feel they have the writing skills, the attention span for reading, or generally just don't like the typing that the forums require, and you can always dicuss in the comment section anyway. Conversely, some people prefer the anonymity or like me even the "meditational" quality of writing (and reading) and/or are not interested in the characters and anctics...or just don't feel like listening/watching/wasting time on videos or whatever.
While there are people at either extreme for an infinite number of reasons (I usually hate the high level generalizations I just made in the previous paragraph, but I think it helps my point)....most of us fall in between. TubeHeads like to chat about the videos, and ForumHeads love to find new stuff on the Tube. Neither like to deal with the bullshit of the one they don't prefer*, So I propose trying to make this place a conglomeration of all of it...a nexus point in the alt-media madness.
Not that I'm trying to gain a bigger audience...though I am dangling the hook for some more participation...but I originally started this NOT really wanting to have to deal with other people, hoping peeps that didn't want the same old shit would chime in (more often) but not caring if anyone actually did. Well, I'm actively trying now encourage more input...while I took to other forums and even the Tube for that, my friends' situations have me thinking this thing could fill niche.
One of them, CW Chanter, has a following that likes to comment...but the nature of YouTube forces him to make videos pointing out the comments...they are scattered so far among his numerous videos it is easy to miss the jems contributed. The other, Christine, created a forum with what you'd think is a perfect platform for feedback, she creates a "blog post" type OP on her forum...but the small community that formed on EE is tight and apparently not visible or inviting to anyone outside the handful of peeps that always post, whereas she finds tons of diversity and stimulating conversation when she posts it up on the Book (I guess the third estate of the alt media).
I'm not deluding myself that I can convince ANYONE to post here, but I think after watching the enthusiasm here in this "google hangout" that started around discussing a live broadcast and took on a life it's own:
Join the conversation on Hangouts: hangouts.google.com/group/FLkO8XZm3RmIn74n1
...that maybe the next Internet mini-cult can be based instead of around the personalities, we make it the ideas that CW and Christine (and I) were going for in our creations, and that's in creating (never ending) conversations...with the only "authority" being my bitchiness when stuff starts turning into the same old shit.
I doubt this idea will get any legs, but this morning I felt like trying. This place started as deposit of my ideas and a sort of self therapy to work out the thoughts in my addled brain...I think not too dissimilar then what CW did for his "40th b-day" present, learning about himself through commentary on the information he consumes...on a platform that invites audience community) feedback. I wanted to allow for conversation like he does by pushing the comment section, and Christine did pretty much the same thing with creating a forum for her friends. I'm ok talking to myself and puttin myself out there, but am hoping for criticism and new ideas. I'm willing to change things around (to an extent) to make this more inviting, so please provide any suggestions...one thing I DON'T want is attention for it's own sake..don't like "marketing", don't want anyone to come that doesn't have some context
Anyway, rambling (and probably turning people off) as usual...my point (I guess) is sort of that I came to the alt media looking for answers, found that the "truth" is not always easy...or what it seems, and learned that ultimately I came to learn the importance of self-reflection. This is my attempt at creating a mechanism for self-relfection on the community level. It doesn't have to be this, it doesn't have to be here, but I am calling to anyone like-minded in this to join me in figuring out how we can create an inviting, diverse, open place...rather than the same old cliquey "authority" based social constructs we seemed programmed into accepting as "normal"