Open Discussion Could The Bluelight Extinguish?

[Billybadjoebob]

Anyone else notice a substantial trend as of late with inactivity and overall grinding of productivity to a halt? I haven't came around nearly as much as I used to, but every time I do it is mostly the same threads at the upper sections of the boards. Just me?

 

[alasdairm]

i see comments like these a fair bit and they're usually based on small samples and personal experience rather than facts.

i usually use other drugs for this kind of discussion as it's a forum at the heart of the site's mission. od's traffic is down about 6% 2016 over 2015. but 2015 was up about 6% over 2014. i'd say a variance of that magnitude is not a huge concern.

there's discussion generally that 'social media' is killing online communities:

Has social media (like Facebook) killed online forums?
Facebook Killing Forums
The Hidden Mass Audience: Why Community Is Bigger Than You Think

...it is mostly the same threads at the upper sections of the boards.

i think that's to be expected. there's a lot of repetition, particularly in the focus forums because a lot of new members visit for the first time to ask common questions on common topics.

you readily admit that you "haven't came around nearly as much as I used to" so obviously, you're a factor in any (downward) shift you see. why don't you participate as much?

alasdair