AeonGaidenRaiden
Member
Replaced by discord which I cant for the life of me, use if we are talking about a active topic. The amount of ongoing messages scrolling every few seconds is a mess to read.
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Do you think forums died off because they became too toxic?
- Thread starter jayj
- Start date
Bojji
Member
Do we have to? For example I don't give a flying fuck about fashion and in my opinion people that chase current fashion norms are clowns. Clothes should be useful, looks are secondary.
Next big thing isn't always better.
Tams
Member
I think it's other way around. People went to mass social media sites, places like Reddit, because they were easier and cheaper ('free') and there are more people because of that.
So of those left on forums, most were the more diehard enthusiasts, who are also more likely to get toxic.
Forums seem to be having a renaissance recently though. This is due to a few reasons.
So of those left on forums, most were the more diehard enthusiasts, who are also more likely to get toxic.
Forums seem to be having a renaissance recently though. This is due to a few reasons.
- Too many 'normies' on mass social media forums. Stupid stuff like selfies next to console being considered relevant posts.
- Poor and increasingly woke top down moderation.
- Toxic bottom up moderation, with chosen moderators making groups/subs into their little fiefdoms.
- Too much advertising.
- Many of these sites and services being poorly designed for long discussions.
Happosai
Hold onto your panties
Indeed.
Early on when social media gained some ground with Myspace, I still saw many forums. The divide I saw was when social started flooding with nonsensical social 'content' and forums stuck to written information discussion. Issue is that younger gens by and large don't read. They're like the kids who'd go to libraries during our time and just stare at picture books. Except Tiktok, X/Twitter, Instagram and whatever else are those picture books stuffed with mindless videos. They won't join forums because that would mean reading and typing out discussion.
This message sponsored by a dinosaur.
thefool
Member
There's toxic users on every platform. Reddit took over when it became obvious it was the perfect tool to control content, just like Twitter was.
Discord is very popular amongst a younger (and older) crowd. Different generations all gathering together, it's kinda funny in a way, because its literally IRC with a bunch of different integrations and developments we had in the last 20 years. Its also centralized, less secure and less private, which is a damn shame.
Its all a flat circle. Maybe some new app similar to forums can eventually take over.
Discord is very popular amongst a younger (and older) crowd. Different generations all gathering together, it's kinda funny in a way, because its literally IRC with a bunch of different integrations and developments we had in the last 20 years. Its also centralized, less secure and less private, which is a damn shame.
Its all a flat circle. Maybe some new app similar to forums can eventually take over.
Go_Ly_Dow
Member
Not saying this is the reason for any specific shift, but I have a few friends who work in teaching and they all say attention spans have taken a nosedive basically.
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killatopak
Gold Member
Bro, have you seen anything non-forum? You can find toxicity everywhere.
You want real toxicity? Go to facebook. No shield of anonymity. Pure unadulterated genuine toxicity.
You want real toxicity? Go to facebook. No shield of anonymity. Pure unadulterated genuine toxicity.
Yoda
Member
I think it's a multitude of factors:
* Forums moderators/admins go on power-trips -> these sometimes last a long time (see default reddit subs). Reddit has the option to go to another subreddit when the any one becomes intolerable, ditto for Discord. For a forum like this, your only option is to leave.
* Mainstream social media platforms spend a lot of money to get their apps infront of new users, forums like these do not.
* Mainstream social media spends billions of dollars gaming engagement, usually not to the benefit of content quality. Forums like these...
These sites are great for niche communities, but short of social media getting slapped with heavy regulations (which somehow don't apply to independent forums) I don't see the glory days of the early 2000s ever coming back.
* Forums moderators/admins go on power-trips -> these sometimes last a long time (see default reddit subs). Reddit has the option to go to another subreddit when the any one becomes intolerable, ditto for Discord. For a forum like this, your only option is to leave.
* Mainstream social media platforms spend a lot of money to get their apps infront of new users, forums like these do not.
* Mainstream social media spends billions of dollars gaming engagement, usually not to the benefit of content quality. Forums like these...
These sites are great for niche communities, but short of social media getting slapped with heavy regulations (which somehow don't apply to independent forums) I don't see the glory days of the early 2000s ever coming back.
Days like these...
Have a Blessed Day
I think forums died because of posters like you OP
Sushi_Combo
Member
I feel that social media comments are even more toxic than the ones found on current forums
DeafTourette
Perpetually Offended
Can you give examples?
Sushi_Combo
Member
Swarms of porn bots/spam bots and people just being mean to others. Especially when posts are up about controversial games/Events.
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AJUMP23
Gold Member
The toxic people moved off to be toxic in the most populous playgrounds of social media. Except for
German Hops
he stayed here to steal our lunches.
German Hops
he stayed here to steal our lunches.
DeepEnigma
Gold Member
If toxicity is the reason, social media hottake platforms would have died a long time ago.
It's the goldfish brained 8 second cycle delivery. Forums require a little more thought and reading fundamentals.
It's the goldfish brained 8 second cycle delivery. Forums require a little more thought and reading fundamentals.
DeafTourette
Perpetually Offended
That hasn't been my experience on FB or IG but I've seen a lot of hateful comments on YouTube and Twitter over movies and such. Even racist comments with the N-Word or other slurs for other POC and white people.
Sushi_Combo
Member
It's the same everywhere even on youtube, and X. Personally, I've just stopped going through the comments altogether for my own sanity. I tip my hat for those moderators that have to sift through all that.
DeafTourette
Perpetually Offended
Agreed. YouTube and Twitter are cesspools. I tend to just look at who I follow (mostly friends and family) and that's it. YouTube is horrible tho. It's worse than 4Chan
Go_Ly_Dow
Member
A difference with GAF and all these places is that you need a non free email address to register. After registering you have to wait a long time until you're accepted. Presumably duplicate accounts can also be caught in this waiting phase. Once you're in because of the the hoops, many will stick to the rules around discourse and if you're banned you have to begin this process again and wait.
Whilst on Twitter, YouTube and 4Chan, not only is easy to avoid being banned and avoid the scrutiny of rule breaking, but you can also just create another account instantly using a free email over and over again. The toxic people are there forever and probably have several accounts.
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ShirAhava
Plays with kids toys, in the adult gaming world
Its funny because so many people I knew who posted on 4Chan back in the day went on to become big youtubers. Shoutout to Alanah Pearce
Sushi_Combo
Member
Wasn't that changed and now anyone with a free email provider can join?
Go_Ly_Dow
Member
If that's the case now then ignore everything I said.
EverydayBeast
thinks Halo Infinite is a new graphical benchmark
Forums:
Social media:
Social media:
22:22:22
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I can't share my interests fully. ALTHOUGH the moderation is lenient and more.
Certain threads made by certain people i won't egage in.
So yeah let's leave it at my experience
Let's say i know what and where i can speak my mind. Toxic, maybe. It's someone's house and it has rules. But yeah sure I'm scared to participate quite often
Certain threads made by certain people i won't egage in.
So yeah let's leave it at my experience
Let's say i know what and where i can speak my mind. Toxic, maybe. It's someone's house and it has rules. But yeah sure I'm scared to participate quite often
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DeathGuise
Member
I think it's the opposite. For example GameTrailers forums were some of the best threads in history.
I really hate Reddit for this... hiding posts because they were downvoted. Searching in whole Reddit instead of the current community. Algorithm deciding for me which posts are "Best", "Top" or "Relevant".
Tams
Member
All that. But really, just the fundamental structure is poor for any sort of lasting discussion.
I'm part of a forum that the parent company decided to axe, so the community decided to move. We considered Reddit, Discord, etc., but none of them were good enough for any sort of good discussion. Thankfully, one member was able and willing to set up a new forum, and to pay for it!
HoodWinked
Member
toxicity isn't it. that aspect is probably neutral because the more "toxic" (which is horseshit to begin) will also increase engagement, while over moderation trims users and creates echo chambers.
forums died because of reddit, it is just more optimal for organizing information because of voting it does a better job of pushing interesting crap to the top. where as forums push stuff to the top in a 'dumb' way where it is simply the most recent post. also lets say you have specific games and topics, in a forum you have to manually filter out stuff that's not relevant while subreddits gives you the information that you want with less noise.
also forums have this problem of friction when it comes to posting a new thread or topic. it feels like there is too much at stake so you often get fewer people posting topics and the same people posting too many new threads.
forums died because of reddit, it is just more optimal for organizing information because of voting it does a better job of pushing interesting crap to the top. where as forums push stuff to the top in a 'dumb' way where it is simply the most recent post. also lets say you have specific games and topics, in a forum you have to manually filter out stuff that's not relevant while subreddits gives you the information that you want with less noise.
also forums have this problem of friction when it comes to posting a new thread or topic. it feels like there is too much at stake so you often get fewer people posting topics and the same people posting too many new threads.
newtypepilot
Member
huh? there's more toxicity on social media and reddit.
forums didn't really die off. With social media and other places like reddit and discord, forums are no longer the only place for discussions, but it doesn't mean forums are going away.
forums didn't really die off. With social media and other places like reddit and discord, forums are no longer the only place for discussions, but it doesn't mean forums are going away.
Methos#1975
Member
It would depend on the subject.I'm a reptile breeder and there were once hundreds of forums dedicated to reptile husbrandry. Nearly all have been replaced now by Facebook groups where care questions and the info that was offered on the forums is now posted on them and immediately answered.
AJUMP23
Gold Member
Be less weird. You maniac.
AREYOUOKAY?
Member
In some cases I'd say so.
22:22:22
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22:22:22
NO PAIN TRANCE CONTINUE
Yes and I'm the weird one. Where you being sarcastic?
What's weird is creating "stories" about inane shit and hope you get likes and followers.
DeafTourette
Perpetually Offended
No. I wasn't.
In my experience on FB and IG, I rarely, if ever, see things like what you mentioned. I follow specific people who are usually family and friends and a few acquaintances.
I only see toxic stuff from folks I don't follow on YouTube and Twitter.
MidGenRefresh
*Refreshes biennially
Look at this forum. You can’t even discuss video games because everything is basically Xbox vs. PlayStation.
DeafTourette
Perpetually Offended
The constant console warring is why I haven't been there much
22:22:22
NO PAIN TRANCE CONTINUE
Doesn't mean it's inherently less toxic
Although
MidGenRefresh
isn't wrong. Toxicity isn't bound to a specific platform. However i do feel there's a great discrepancy between forum's and SM.
But maybe I'm wrong.
Applaud your honesty.
Dural
Member
Yep, was coming to post this. Barely go to the gaming side anymore because of how ridiculous it's gotten. Same posters always defending or attacking in every thread.
DeafTourette
Perpetually Offended
Doesn't mean it's inherently less toxic
Although
Toxicity isn't bound to a specific platform. However i do feel there's a great discrepancy between forum's and SM.
But maybe I'm wrong.
Applaud your honesty.
Yeah. I just think it depends on if it's the people you follow or the people allowed on their pages.
22:22:22
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Same here. No interest in engaging with toddler's or sale data.
Not to say there aren't awesome OT's <3
22:22:22
NO PAIN TRANCE CONTINUE
Well sure. You wouldn't surround yourself around such folks IRL unless you have no choice, right?
RAÏSanÏa
Member
Partly, I think it's the extra commitment involved with posting in forums that's somewhat discouraging. When saying something there's a social agreement to reply, even in tedious circumstances, that isn't present in other formats.
There's also the thing where it's now become easy to tell when someone is regularly podcast/show "educated" and uses specific buzzwords and phrases of the day that can identify the show/ep from the post contents and day of the week after a show airs, like the biolabs in Ukraine. It's mostly pointless to engage with the many problems with that type of regurgitation beyond shutting it down, which goes back to extra effort.
Reddit comments are often useless consensus built by the uninformed emotionally swayed which more often than not leads to the highest upvoted/best comments being unreliable repetitive blathering. Again mostly pointless to engage unless some personal value can be found. Yet, the OPs themselves can be decent, but I've go so many subs blocked that the popular page often doesn't start until page 2 or 3.
There's also the thing where it's now become easy to tell when someone is regularly podcast/show "educated" and uses specific buzzwords and phrases of the day that can identify the show/ep from the post contents and day of the week after a show airs, like the biolabs in Ukraine. It's mostly pointless to engage with the many problems with that type of regurgitation beyond shutting it down, which goes back to extra effort.
Reddit comments are often useless consensus built by the uninformed emotionally swayed which more often than not leads to the highest upvoted/best comments being unreliable repetitive blathering. Again mostly pointless to engage unless some personal value can be found. Yet, the OPs themselves can be decent, but I've go so many subs blocked that the popular page often doesn't start until page 2 or 3.
AREYOUOKAY?
Member
Sadly this is still the case. Even with mods constantly cleaning up the place another permbanned user just gets replaced with someone new that’s just as bad as them.
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