I would say it is undeniable that EADD - and maybe BL overall but I don't get out enough to know myself - is going through a fairly fallow period. Won't be the first time and won't be the last. For me it seems clear there are a combination of reasons why this is the case...
Firstly there is obviously the Evey issue. It was a very difficult period for all involved - including her of course - and it seems to be leaving a long shadow. By no means would I put all of the slowdown in traffic down to her time here and the various issues surrounding it (for which, incidentally, I would certainly take a good chunk of the blame, and would also make clear that it was a complicated situation for which many mistakes were made for both good reasons and bad). There is no doubt that a number of people left as a direct result of her drama, manipulations and vindictiveness... and there is no doubt that a number of members also became so caught up in it all that they have left BL to focus on drama, manipulation and vindictiveness of their own. Overall this must surely account for a fair chunk of those who no longer post here - but by no means all.
Aside from that there is also the NPS Act coming into force. Whatever one's opinion of RCs, there is no doubt they accounted for a great deal of traffic - especially when it came to new members and people migrating from other subforums. Whilst discussion of "traditional" drugs has always provided the backbone of EADD, the situation that resulted in what pretty much amounted to a "worst of all worlds" scenario of legal drugs with almost zero regulation (aside from the strict regulations on HR info, dosing advice - information of any kind beyond price and weight for that matter - and the latter was hardly reliable) did keep a steady stream of new members joining up.
Either alone would have resulted in a drop in traffic, but coming together as they did there's no wonder there's been such a drop-off. Added onto the fact there are no so many more options for people to find info on drugs - including several places that allow sourcing, which will presumably attract some - and I'd be amazed to see anything other than a drop in traffic. I have no doubt things will pick up again but, as ever, it all comes down to creating good content and discussion - and that is something we can all make a difference with. Be the change... it's only a cliche cos it's true dontcha know
It maybe gives some hope to look at the number of different posters have replied in this thread in under two days. I'm not sure if we'd normally see this many different posters in EADD in the space of a week.
Perhaps it shows that people are definitely still reading, just not posting.
Hehe. Every time there's a forum's gone to shit thread the traffic goes through the roof. EADD ebbs and flows but some things never change - reports of EADD's death are grossly exaggerated but always good to bring lurkers out of lurking... albeit only until the next forum's gone to shit thread comes around.
