The Impact of Forums...
 

Hmmm... I was just pondering this.

We're the first generation to have online forums such as this one readily available to us. I've conversed with people from these and other forums on AIM, gotten to know them, and I'm even writing and international song with one (Hi Leto!!!).

I've come to realize that online forums take up a whole bunch of my time. I'm on here and other boards a lot of the time, but I still seem to maintain a normal life. So... where are forums (and the people on them) heading? Will the same people still be on here in 5 or 10 years, and will the people who were tight stay friends, one day maybe even meet each other in person?

Huh. This might sound rather rambly. Actually, I'm sure it does, and it might not make much sense, but it's hard to put to words the minor, albeit important, revelation I've had. I've noticed myself change both in philosophy and attitude since I started joining these online communities... I guess I'm just saying that participating on these boards may effect us more than we think.

I already met one one person via AIM and then went on to become very good friends (and meet in person on a quasi-regular basis). Can you guess who that forum member is?

Well, if forum participation and interest keeps inclining, then there will probably be coimpanies and orginizations fully dedicated to the forum world. Technology will be upgraded to stuff like webvideos without it being broken to anyone, full length conventions will occur, and there will be forums for every single subject.

Yeah, I spend a lot of time on here... maybe too much. Like right now, I should be getting some rest. Nonetheless, I plan to stay here for as long as I have time for it and for as the place is still alive.

Heh, yeah, I met Kuba in person: a grand total of three visits he's made to Tennessee, I believe, since I've known him. There's not many that I talk to very often outside of the forums. The only one who I'm really buddy-buddy with is Matt (Oddguy). We used to talk on AIM quite often. We now schedule phone conversations.

I've also found the forums to be a great way to spend time (or something like that) with Luke. It's something we can both be involved in, chat about, and all that.

I'm not leaving that I know of.

How did you meet via AIM? Just started messaging random screen names? I just assumed you were a friend of a friend to Luke or Amber or something like that.

That's killer cool. That's what I mean when I say the forums affect our lives more than we think. So awesome.

Wowzers. I had no idea the level of outside-forum communication was even marginally high. Although, if it was, I would have expected it from the Ambi-Searex-Cheese crew. :)

I wouldn't be surprised if forums became their own little cultural clique, if they haven't already.

Don't forget the grand old days of BBS forums back in the day... ^_^ Krad! ****, good memories of some 'Kill Barnie' forum, anyone remember it's name? Or am I just an old young person?

HI KIMON!

Well, this is the only forum that I frequently post in/try to be part of. I've made some friends, and it's a good place.

BUT OTHAWIZE I HAT YUE ;)

I think foruming has affected me.
I'm a lot more open minded now thanks to this forum.
It's also affected me in the fact that if I went to Sydney or Hoboland I would make a point of trying to meet up with Alcar or Hobo.

And then I could finally not feel weird about using their real names!

Yeah, when ARE you coming over here!

Oh, and yeah, the OWF have definitely had a profound impact on my life.

Alcar...

He did mean me. :p History of Kuba and Amber's wacky friendshipness: Once upon a time, Kuba lived in Tennessee, but this was a few years before I met him. Anyway, he still has some friends that live here (who I'm also friends with now to a lesser extent) and one of them was dating one of my friends. One night Sarah invited me to a chat with a bunch of people I didn't know, and there was one guy that kept saying Happy Noodle Boy quotes. Then we just started talking, and there ya go.

Hmm, I have to agree with Fax: Forum discussions can make people more open-minded, and I find the fact that most of us at such young ages are capable of serious discussions on important issues to be remarkable. Very unstereotypical.

I had 2 phone conversations with Sligslinger before he "died" and I've contacted AFOS once by phone

I also felt more opend-minded with the forums, I feel less alone and less worried about problems. I don't know about you guys but I have inproved my grammer and typing skills, which is greatful. The forums can be quite educational.

oh,and I even won a prize for being the most online member.:D

Where is Sligslinger these days?

His profile says he commited suicide.

GOGM I H8 u M0R3!!!

:p

\/\/007!!!! Teh Ne\/\/deL B0Y are rawkin'!!!! Seriously, JTHM is my sexy friend.

Anyways, it seems that people are being affected just as much as I am, which is teh cool. And yes, we are breaking the stereotype of online nerdisms by having these important, mature discussion. GO OWF!!! :D :D :D

Tre coolio.

Killing whitie from beyond the grave. Because, you know, he's so dead. BWUUUUH!!!

:rolleyes:

Hmmmm, I met up with Abe Babe, Pilot and Oddness during OddTour. I guess that counts as impacting on my life.

Alcar...