THECATINTHEHAT
Bluelighter
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European & African
Drug Discussion
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EADD Moderators: Pissed_and_messed | Shinji Ikari
How can we get this place active again?
- Thread starter gayorstraight
- Start date
Eveleivibe
Ex-Bluelighter
Hiya all,
I took time in writing this, I hope it doesn't come across the wrong way as I've been honest in it but to answer the above, we have to be, don't we? Here goes....
How to make EADD more active? OK here goes, sorry if this comes out offensive in any way. It’s not the intention – it’s honest and I’ve had time to think about this one lol.
How many of you go to New Member Introductions and welcome the newbies? How about doing so and telling them about EADD. You won’t believe how many new members are from Europe or the UK. And tell them about the laughs and banter yet support here, the debates about all sorts of subjects under the sun, yet good, continuous, informative drug and harm reduction discussions. We could mention how EADD is open to all and maybe people who don’t live in Europe or Africa may drop in – they may be from our areas, or have lived in our areas or may be one day interested in travelling to our areas and we would be able to advise them about local services etc, etc,
What about the new members who are here? Knock once told me it took him a YEAR to find his feet in EADD – and we all know how so very much loved, respected and admired Knock was in this community. This isn't a dig at EADD, however, if we are wanting to change something that seems wrong (make EADD less inactive and more active) then we need to look at criticisms in order to change them. I have seem a few newbies here over the last few weeks. I’ve directed a few here from NMI. How many have welcomed them? Sent them a PM?, made them feel wanted
We’ve lost a lot of members from here, I know that and experienced the horror of that when Knock passed, but to make EADD more active we need to be less cliquey and more welcoming to new members. The New Members are the future of BL, future of EADD – we need them here if we want EADD to be more active again.
Haha OTW, yeah you could be right – and one of those people is me that needs to get less “butt hurt” oi take your loungey words back to the Lounge (kidding), hope you’re doing OK?! Seriously, you have a point as when we argue well that can’t be attractive to new members – or even current members.
Another idea would be for someone who is in contact with older members who are no longer here such as mailmonkey and ask why they don’t want to come here no more (not pressure them to come back as, of course, that’s up to them) but if we could find out their reasoning then we could look to change what may be going wrong?
Trying to think of the best way to word this next bit please don’t be offended it’s not my intention but when it comes to members passed, maybe instead of discussing them in sadness, maybe we should discuss them in a positive way, for instance, looking at Knock, by focusing on all that Knock brought here; his wit, humour, intellect, drive for improving EADD and so forth. The reason I say this is because I did not know of EADD for months but when I did the conversations were all sad and full of pain and loss – and it was off putting. Then I had a “holiday” new years eve and started looking at EADD. I saw the banter, the support, the seriousness of harm reduction (I think I read some thread, where someone had not called an ambulance and the spouse Odd n nearly died – was pleased to see please stressing the importance of safety over worrying about legalities / moralities / status). I also saw the community spirit and the next day; 4 January I talked to a few members in PM including Shambles and Allein and decided that EADD was the place to be. Had I not have had that “holiday,” I would not have lurked EADD and seen all of that for myself. So we need to stress of all this to the newbies and make them feel wanted and valued here, as part of the EADD community. Lots n lots of newbies come each day and in welcomed them, introduced them to EADD – well I think EADD would be quite active again
Also how many of us integrate to different parts of the forum? I’m not trying to say that people have to but if you did and get to know people. Some of us are bound to speak to others and mention EADD and all of the positive things stated above and more. It’s actually how I “met” a few of you; plmar, Owen, MDB. There’s lot of people on Bluelight, from our areas – but they may not know of EADD. Yes, it’s printed on the main site I know, but this is an extremely big site – and to newbies, can seem quite daunting. Like I say, I didn’t know of EADD for months. I went to recovery support - and was gutted because I couldn’t find anyone from the UK. No offense to people in America, but the services are different in America to what they are here, so sometimes talking about Suboxone and say benefits was somewhat difficult. Don’t get me wrong I had a lot of support. A mod called stardust_hero was very helpful and welcoming to when I first came to BL.
That’s it really.
Evey
PS: OTW, don't ever leave EADD, you're a scream. You're an Aus, right? You're humour are very similar to us Brits, and often we get misunderstood with our humour at times, thinking we're being nasty when it's a joke. I get you're just joking. You're kewl. You were kind to me once in PM (But shhhh I won't tell. 'tis our secret haha) lol
I took time in writing this, I hope it doesn't come across the wrong way as I've been honest in it but to answer the above, we have to be, don't we? Here goes....
How to make EADD more active? OK here goes, sorry if this comes out offensive in any way. It’s not the intention – it’s honest and I’ve had time to think about this one lol.
How many of you go to New Member Introductions and welcome the newbies? How about doing so and telling them about EADD. You won’t believe how many new members are from Europe or the UK. And tell them about the laughs and banter yet support here, the debates about all sorts of subjects under the sun, yet good, continuous, informative drug and harm reduction discussions. We could mention how EADD is open to all and maybe people who don’t live in Europe or Africa may drop in – they may be from our areas, or have lived in our areas or may be one day interested in travelling to our areas and we would be able to advise them about local services etc, etc,
What about the new members who are here? Knock once told me it took him a YEAR to find his feet in EADD – and we all know how so very much loved, respected and admired Knock was in this community. This isn't a dig at EADD, however, if we are wanting to change something that seems wrong (make EADD less inactive and more active) then we need to look at criticisms in order to change them. I have seem a few newbies here over the last few weeks. I’ve directed a few here from NMI. How many have welcomed them? Sent them a PM?, made them feel wanted
We’ve lost a lot of members from here, I know that and experienced the horror of that when Knock passed, but to make EADD more active we need to be less cliquey and more welcoming to new members. The New Members are the future of BL, future of EADD – we need them here if we want EADD to be more active again.
Haha OTW, yeah you could be right – and one of those people is me that needs to get less “butt hurt” oi take your loungey words back to the Lounge (kidding), hope you’re doing OK?! Seriously, you have a point as when we argue well that can’t be attractive to new members – or even current members.
Another idea would be for someone who is in contact with older members who are no longer here such as mailmonkey and ask why they don’t want to come here no more (not pressure them to come back as, of course, that’s up to them) but if we could find out their reasoning then we could look to change what may be going wrong?
Trying to think of the best way to word this next bit please don’t be offended it’s not my intention but when it comes to members passed, maybe instead of discussing them in sadness, maybe we should discuss them in a positive way, for instance, looking at Knock, by focusing on all that Knock brought here; his wit, humour, intellect, drive for improving EADD and so forth. The reason I say this is because I did not know of EADD for months but when I did the conversations were all sad and full of pain and loss – and it was off putting. Then I had a “holiday” new years eve and started looking at EADD. I saw the banter, the support, the seriousness of harm reduction (I think I read some thread, where someone had not called an ambulance and the spouse Odd n nearly died – was pleased to see please stressing the importance of safety over worrying about legalities / moralities / status). I also saw the community spirit and the next day; 4 January I talked to a few members in PM including Shambles and Allein and decided that EADD was the place to be. Had I not have had that “holiday,” I would not have lurked EADD and seen all of that for myself. So we need to stress of all this to the newbies and make them feel wanted and valued here, as part of the EADD community. Lots n lots of newbies come each day and in welcomed them, introduced them to EADD – well I think EADD would be quite active again
Also how many of us integrate to different parts of the forum? I’m not trying to say that people have to but if you did and get to know people. Some of us are bound to speak to others and mention EADD and all of the positive things stated above and more. It’s actually how I “met” a few of you; plmar, Owen, MDB. There’s lot of people on Bluelight, from our areas – but they may not know of EADD. Yes, it’s printed on the main site I know, but this is an extremely big site – and to newbies, can seem quite daunting. Like I say, I didn’t know of EADD for months. I went to recovery support - and was gutted because I couldn’t find anyone from the UK. No offense to people in America, but the services are different in America to what they are here, so sometimes talking about Suboxone and say benefits was somewhat difficult. Don’t get me wrong I had a lot of support. A mod called stardust_hero was very helpful and welcoming to when I first came to BL.
That’s it really.
Evey
PS: OTW, don't ever leave EADD, you're a scream. You're an Aus, right? You're humour are very similar to us Brits, and often we get misunderstood with our humour at times, thinking we're being nasty when it's a joke. I get you're just joking. You're kewl. You were kind to me once in PM (But shhhh I won't tell. 'tis our secret haha) lol
pinkpapaver
Bluelighter
Thats the spirit gal. Mebbe il go ttempting people from new members. Glad yiuve found your feet here.
Eveleivibe
Ex-Bluelighter
lol thanks. I spent ages yesterday typing that out n hoping it didn't come out wrong. Hope you're ok.
Aint seen you around in awhile.
Right I best get this child up!
Evey
Aint seen you around in awhile.
Right I best get this child up!
Evey
ponch
Bluelighter
Get TheSpade back
Eveleivibe
Ex-Bluelighter
Who's TheSpade? I've seen the name around, but never really spoken to him.
This place will be active again, it just needs work from all us members as a team. There's no "I" in team, no one person can do it. That's why I took time in thinking n wrote what I di above. No disrespect to the standing members - but the newbies are also the future of BL and there are lots of them who come to BL daily. It's just a case of telling them about EADD n making them feel welcome. We're all guilty of forgetting the newbies because we get carried away with our friendships and what-not but we need them in EADD. There's a few here that I see, not mentioning names because it wouldn't be fair, and I don't see anyone trying to include them; silly things saying "why not come to Gibberings, it's our social " or "I see you seem interesting in *** have you seen **** thread." That's how we'll get EADD active again...
if you went to a social night and everyone ignored you, talking in your new groups, would you want to stay? But if you went and the people welcomed you, said "Why not join us" would you be more likely to stay? I would.
Another example - there is currently is new member in NMI who is interested in MXE a few on here talk about talking it. Now if someone said "We know you're not from around EADD parts but there are a few of us who take MXE and you're welcome to join and participate" then we may get an extra member, we may not but worth a try, eh?! (there is someone in NMI interested in MXE).
Evey
Sammy G
Ex-Bluelighter
It might just be me, but hasn't this place been more active over the last couple of months than it has been for some time?
Granted, there don't seem to be as many people on here in the middle of the night as there were a few years back, but it's far healthier than it was nine months ago, when even lurking was a painful exercise.
I'm not saying there's anything wrong with engaging new posters, but it's incredibly hard to do so without appearing creepy and cultish. There doesn't need to be such desperation about it all.
Granted, there don't seem to be as many people on here in the middle of the night as there were a few years back, but it's far healthier than it was nine months ago, when even lurking was a painful exercise.
I'm not saying there's anything wrong with engaging new posters, but it's incredibly hard to do so without appearing creepy and cultish. There doesn't need to be such desperation about it all.
Eveleivibe
Ex-Bluelighter
Not sure, Sammy, I've only been here 8 months (on 28th), it was more active when Knock was here and I can understand some people no longer coming, having been close friends with him and the grief - but it has been more quiet since and it would be nice to have newer members participating and integrating here. I was at Bluelight months because I knew of EADD and then, no offence but I was put off for a while because of the loss as often that is what seems to be associated with EADD. Please, Please, Please don't get offended by that - I have experienced losing someone here too, Knock, so I'm not trying to be disrespect in any way, truly I'm not but if people have criticisms then to make changes we have to be honest.
What we need new members to associate with EADD is what is EADD; the support, the banter, the togetherness, community spirit, the freedom of speech, the knowledge and harm reduction information. Yes - there are arguments here but friendly arguments where we have, what I call an evetrum, apologize n then it's forgotten about next day. We need to remember the good that all of the lost members have brought to EADD and think what would they want. I'm imagining that they would want the place to flourish and be active. Knock did so much for EADD we can't let all that go in vain....
Anyway I'm going on and probably said too much, sorry.
Evey xxxx
What we need new members to associate with EADD is what is EADD; the support, the banter, the togetherness, community spirit, the freedom of speech, the knowledge and harm reduction information. Yes - there are arguments here but friendly arguments where we have, what I call an evetrum, apologize n then it's forgotten about next day. We need to remember the good that all of the lost members have brought to EADD and think what would they want. I'm imagining that they would want the place to flourish and be active. Knock did so much for EADD we can't let all that go in vain....
Anyway I'm going on and probably said too much, sorry.
Evey xxxx
Sammy G
Ex-Bluelighter
Has it though? I really don't think it has.
I can't really think of many (indeed any) regular posters who don't post anymore solely because of his death. We've had people who stopped posting because of the death rate, certainly, but that's been happening steadily over the course of a good few years. Granted, knock himself was a prolific poster, so that's obviously missed, but I really think this place is busier, more interesting and far, far less cliquey at this moment in time than it has been for a good while.
I also see newer members posting in a number of threads. I really can't see the same steep decline as you apparently can.
Eveleivibe
Ex-Bluelighter
Maybe you're right. I may be that Knock posted a lot - and I tended to respond to him more than most of the other members that it seems quiet. I've not really said anything until now because I felt that EADD because less active was just my imagination. But, judging by this thread, others have noticed it. Yes new members type here but do we give them a good welcome and do our best to integrate them into EADD threads? I don't see it Maybe I'm wrong here, and if so I apologise. Personally if it hadn't been for Knock, Snolly, Shambles and Allein I'd not have stayed in EADD during the first month. I've often been reminded how "most members have known each other years, I've only been here five minutes" That sort of thing shouldn't matter. I'll give an example, I showed concern towards a long-standing member once and ended up annoying most of the group. It was Knock who took time in explaining to me why I had annoyed them instead of the group should have gone easy on me, realised I was new and explained why things were not done that way. If it had not been for Knock taking that time to PM me and explain to me your reactions and why - I would have left EADD that day and never returned. I know our moderators have here to work and solve disputes and what-not but surely we, as members, have a role to, in terms of welcoming and integrating new members in EADD so that they stay and feel wanted and valued here? (I hope that hasn't come out wrong!)
EADD is an amazing community, and that's what we need the newbies to see so they come here and stay here!
Evey
EADD is an amazing community, and that's what we need the newbies to see so they come here and stay here!
Evey
Sammy G
Ex-Bluelighter
I genuinely think that as good as anybody's intentions are, staff or otherwise, EADD (even at its best) will only appeal to a relatively small percentage of BL users, at least in the sense of an online 'community'. Obviously there's more to the forum than that: we have some excellent information available in several threads, and this can be (and is) accessed by both members and lurkers. Look at the lurking figures sometime - they far outnumber active posters, and that's ultimately a good thing; it means the forum is informative as well as entertaining.
Obviously a strong community feeling helps tie everything together, but to try and force it usually fails or even backfires. There have been attempts in the past to be more consciously noob-friendly and they've gone horribly wrong. I remember a moderator starting a welcome thread for a member who was presumably so embarrassed that they never made a single post thereafter.
I'm not saying that any gestures have to be so extreme and misguided, but maybe bear in mind the fact that most of the people who would really 'get' EADD could probably be a little resistant to the kind of approach that may work elsewhere.
Obviously a strong community feeling helps tie everything together, but to try and force it usually fails or even backfires. There have been attempts in the past to be more consciously noob-friendly and they've gone horribly wrong. I remember a moderator starting a welcome thread for a member who was presumably so embarrassed that they never made a single post thereafter.
I'm not saying that any gestures have to be so extreme and misguided, but maybe bear in mind the fact that most of the people who would really 'get' EADD could probably be a little resistant to the kind of approach that may work elsewhere.
garbagegutz
Bluelighter
im here now - lets get the party started
THECATINTHEHAT
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2005
- Messages
- 8,180
Interesting content.
That simple really, creating more interesting content will get more people to engage in discussion and hang around.
That simple really, creating more interesting content will get more people to engage in discussion and hang around.
Chatative
Bluelight Crew
Yeah someone said that a few pages back.
I guess we are just a bunch of boring farts. Maybe BL should start a scheme where by they send a few tabs of acid to every member.
I guess we are just a bunch of boring farts. Maybe BL should start a scheme where by they send a few tabs of acid to every member.
Pretty much what Evey said, especially regarding the fact we sorta stick to our own forum and get the odd American/Aussie wandering in. Should get out there more. Maybe make a 'We see you guests lurking, join up' campaign. It's mad when I check this place first thing and there's just me logged in and like 60 guests.
EADD has, as someone said in the past, always ebbed and flowed, but it's definitely less active than a few years ago. I think honestly we've just had a really bad run of it the past year due to all that's gone on and sniping at each other.
Probably dumb question here @ owen but how do you mean content? Just interesting threads, or articles, megathreads on novel substances, etc? Maybe a welcome newbies thread or yeah point the new Euro/African ones from NMI over here (after a while...).
EADD has, as someone said in the past, always ebbed and flowed, but it's definitely less active than a few years ago. I think honestly we've just had a really bad run of it the past year due to all that's gone on and sniping at each other.
Probably dumb question here @ owen but how do you mean content? Just interesting threads, or articles, megathreads on novel substances, etc? Maybe a welcome newbies thread or yeah point the new Euro/African ones from NMI over here (after a while...).
Sammy G
Ex-Bluelighter
A few years ago there was the MDMA drought / meph boom. Immediately following that there was the buzz over the new RCs that were launched or came to prominence in the wake of the meph ban. There was also the heroin drought, which swelled the numbers of both lurkers and posters dramatically.
The legal RC scene brought a lot of traffic to BL and EADD, and that scene just isn't what it was. It's bound to have some kind of impact, as people generally don't use the internet to research / discuss street drugs.
People will sign up if there's something of real interest to them. Begging them to post here doesn't create that interest, and at worst it could well drive them away. There's already a 'join the community' link prominently displayed for anyone who's looking.
Yeah you make a good point there. It's definitely a different scene and one that's kinda tinged with a bit of darkness, if you get me? But yeah, I guess if our guests are just here to find summat out and then clear off, no point forcing them at gunpoint.
How do you mean the RC scene isn't what it was? In the sense it's not the same as 'the good old days' or that it's changed since people picked up interest? I'm genuinely curious as I wasn't here when the RC thing really gained steam and didn't notice it much for a while when I came back.
Agree on recruitment thing. If people want to be here they will be. Point duly rescinded.
Edit: And yeah EADD has limited appeal board-wide I think as BL is primarily a harm reduction forum, plus a lot of us in EADD know each other very well. Best we can do is just not isolate new members. Think we do need to make an effort to include people who do join, and as for the cliquey thing, EADD will always be like that cos it's a small forum and a lot of us have met IRL, we just need to be aware of it and how it affects newbies I guess.
Or we can just turn the background alternating neon colours and flash pictures of tits randomly across the screen.
How do you mean the RC scene isn't what it was? In the sense it's not the same as 'the good old days' or that it's changed since people picked up interest? I'm genuinely curious as I wasn't here when the RC thing really gained steam and didn't notice it much for a while when I came back.
Agree on recruitment thing. If people want to be here they will be. Point duly rescinded.
Edit: And yeah EADD has limited appeal board-wide I think as BL is primarily a harm reduction forum, plus a lot of us in EADD know each other very well. Best we can do is just not isolate new members. Think we do need to make an effort to include people who do join, and as for the cliquey thing, EADD will always be like that cos it's a small forum and a lot of us have met IRL, we just need to be aware of it and how it affects newbies I guess.
Or we can just turn the background alternating neon colours and flash pictures of tits randomly across the screen.
Last edited:
Sammy G
Ex-Bluelighter
The legal RC scene in particular; obviously meph was the big legal RC (with MDPV springing to mind too), but immediately following the ban there was the 6-APB 'summer of love' hype, which kept a lot of non-drug-geeks interested in developments in the RC world, and consequently posting in the forum. Then of course you had methoxetamine too. Ever since those drugs were banned, the legal RC scene has withered away as every new substance has been pretty disappointing. For instance, we don't have an active, bustling ethlyphenidate thread, but we still have a busy MDPV thread. Says it all.
Chatative
Bluelight Crew
All you need do is look at the amount of Mephedrone Megathreads.... I joined just before the 2nd one back in 2009. We're up to 13 now... they drew a lot of people in. I also noticed there was a lot of activity around when MXE was legal.
I would have said that it's only the old hands that dabble at the RC scene mostly these days. I don't see many new people asking about various RCs.
I disappeared not long after that though, so I can't really say much about the demise of the RC scene etc.
Sammy G
Ex-Bluelighter
Yep and yep.