The Cellar

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-   -   Poster's: one; Lurker's: one hundred (http://cellar.org/showthread.php?t=6794)

marichiko 09-16-2004 05:48 PM

Poster's: one; Lurker's: one hundred
 
I was just glancing over the various thread stats, and I noticed that for every written response there are roughly 100 views. That means an awful lot of people must just sign on and read the discussions without adding any comment of their own. I'm not complaining about this, mind you. The Cellar would not be the friendly (sort of), intimate place it is now if there were 500 replies to a thread instead of five.

Still, I'm curious. Granted, everyone who posts here is witty, literate, and intelligent - not to mention a talented writer. :D No doubt, merely reading the threads is an experience in itself. Still, it seems to me people would be better off going and checking out War and Peace from the public library if they feel like just reading something.

I can't imagine just reading the various threads without jumping in and giving my two cents worth. Maybe I'm just an attention junkie, maybe I'm so deluded that I think I have something worthwhile to say. I don't know. But why would people just lurk? Any thoughts? Lurkers feel free to delurk for a moment with your replies.

redsonia 09-16-2004 05:56 PM

I'm usually reading this at work and don't have time to write a post. (Bad, bad employee!) Also, I'm kind of shy about this whole thing, this being the first forum I've ever joined. :blush: Third, some of you guys can be kind of mean. :biglaugha

xoxoxoBruce 09-16-2004 06:04 PM

Quote:

Third, some of you guys can be kind of mean.
Nonsense, the guys are never mean. The chicks are mean. :lol:
Quote:

Still, it seems to me people would be better off going and checking out War and Peace from the public library if they feel like just reading something.
Boring. :thumbsdn:

marichiko 09-16-2004 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsonia
I'm usually reading this at work and don't have time to write a post. (Bad, bad employee!) Also, I'm kind of shy about this whole thing, this being the first forum I've ever joined. :blush: Third, some of you guys can be kind of mean. :biglaugha

Oh, it's all just good, clean fun. Insult each other, question your opponent's character or lack there of, a good natured stab in the eye or two. What the hell? :D You can't take it too seriously and, actually, if you stick around, people usually kiss and make up or at least agree to agree to hate each other. Anyhow, welcome aboard!

xoxoxoBruce 09-16-2004 08:37 PM

And were never mean to people that have really cool dogs. :elkgrin:

xoxoxoBruce 09-16-2004 08:40 PM

Ok, ok,........and cats. :rolleyes:

marichiko 09-16-2004 11:07 PM

You are one cool cat, Bruce! :D

Ernestine 09-17-2004 07:46 AM

Ooooo the sweet doggies and kitties! Yum yum, kiss kiss, cuddle, hug, get licked, get scratched.

See? I don't understand the mind of the lurker either. I not only can't resist adding my two cents worth of informed opinion, I can't even resist saying stupid, pointless stuff like that. :blush:

LabRat 09-17-2004 08:42 AM

i was a LONG time lurker before posting :corn: (like, even before LJ joined) and i learned that 'me too' posts don't add anything of value. i also learned that everyone here is very accepting of differeing opinions if they are backed up with valid arguments and actual facts (or at least reputable sources) and generally enjoys a good debate. a lot of the time i feel a certain way, but can't adequately describe it (or spell it) or don't have the time to back it up with sufficient facts to convince the wiser members i'm not just talking out my ass (since i only have the net at work). i check out the cellar at least twice a day--tho a lot less lately since LJ hasn't been around...miss that windbag, i do :bawling: How is he doing, Jinx??

xoxoxoBruce 09-17-2004 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LabRat
a lot of the time i feel a certain way, but can't adequately describe it (or spell it) or don't have the time to back it up with sufficient facts to convince the wiser members i'm not just talking out my ass (since i only have the net at work).

That's not a problem just post it as an opinion or as a question like, do you think that the sky really is blue? And spelling isn't that important as long as it can be easily deciphered, even though a few people will whine. Screw 'em. ;)

Tomas Rueda 09-24-2004 11:58 AM

I to be different in some aspects, but I started replying (and posting new threads) the second I appeared on the stage.

(voice of an 81-year-old.) Ah, Those good ol' days. :yelsick: :alien:
  • but seriously, In real life, I was a lurker. Elementary and middle school were spent just for the sake of completing a school year. It was not until the 8th grade that I noticed I was wasting my time (I was a - scholastic, academic, and pessimistic nerd) Now, I'm in the 11th (already) and I still have:
  • no idea what my major is
  • No idea what do I even like
  • NO licence (nor driver's ed)
  • Not officially dated anyone (female, of course)
  • Not officially worked in any jobs
  • Etc, etc, (and yes, Etc.)


I'm living the great life, though

perth 09-24-2004 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomas Rueda
  • no idea what my major is
  • No idea what do I even like

I'm 27 and I don't have those answers either. Don't feel too bad about it.

lumberjim 09-24-2004 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LabRat
~snip~
tho a lot less lately since LJ hasn't been around...miss that windbag, i do :bawling: How is he doing, Jinx??

doing fine, LR. doing fine. new job is a hoot, although about 7 times as intense as Family was. sometimes at the end of the night when i have to lock up, i have time to lurk a bit, but during the day, there's just no way. we just sold a car to a guy that works with xoxoxoxbruce. i miss you all too.....even the annoying ones ;)..... lookout seems to be trying to make up for my declining participation. I'll still be here, i'll just be in the shadows....like dagney ;)

ps, syc, i still think you're a homo.
love jim

Tomas Rueda 09-24-2004 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perth
I'm 27 and I don't have those answers either. Don't feel too bad about it.


(uses sleeve to wipe sweat off the forehead) Phew, at least l know it is not that bad.

...but, I'm living in the midst of the time on which I have to make the foundations of my career...In fact, Im beginning to think that a career is a guized, hidden form of slavery in which bussinesses make more profits, whether the person is white-collared or blue-collared, and new members are added at every graduation.

Like, everyone in high school tell you to do your best in every single class, every single ECA (extra-curricular activity), every single test (now that is weird, asking a nerd to be a nerd and a stud at the same time, or vice-versa)

They tell you to take your PSAT, SAT,ACT, or other standarized test at least twice every year.

Then, at the end of this government-funded, job-making machine, one sighs and says that they have ruined their lives.

lookout123 09-24-2004 01:00 PM

Quote:

career is a guized, hidden form of slavery in which bussinesses make more profits, whether the person is white-collared or blue-collared, and new members are added at every graduation.
well, duh. you've learned the most important lesson.

what i've found to be the first required step to being successful is to make the decision:
A) do i work to live?
B) do i live to work?

don't let your job or career aspirations define you. oh yeah, and don't forget that after your first post college job, your GPA and extra curricular activity don't matter at all - and generally, neither does you degree.

Tomas Rueda 09-24-2004 02:16 PM

I am going to say that I work to live

slang 09-24-2004 02:28 PM

The joke portion of this reply is that.....the 500 or so lurkers ( per post ) are not allowed to respond becacause they are just doing their job......working for Mr Ashcroft, collecting information for the Man.

They are not human....they are Ashcroftbots :)


The serious reasons could be many. I know that this place is very engaging for me and it's easy to spend a lot of time here. There are probably a lot of people that just dont have the time or the consistent interest to do so. They have something....what's that called.....hhhmmm....oh, yeah.....a LIFE.


There is also a certain appeal to being uninvolved. The Cellar is, in it's own way a soap opera of sorts. This is what's happening with this character, and this is whats happening to that. If you keep up, I can see people getting to know people that post here even with the detachment the net provides.


So those are just a few possibilites without getting all TW-ish.



slang

Undertoad 09-24-2004 02:44 PM

Ah but ya know I have to take issue with that. People who don't like the Cellar aren't like that because they "got a life". The Cellar is a social experience, and for those of us who enjoy being social in this particular way, it's compelling and interesting, PART of "a life".

I think what happens is that people are intimidated and don't necessarily care to break into the "inner circle", although there really is no such thing and anyone can become a true blood Cellarite almost simply by declaring themselves so.

Some lurkers desperately hope people acknowledge their first post... others desperately hope people DON'T. It's a social thing!

perth 09-24-2004 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad
The Cellar is a social experience, and for those of us who enjoy being social in this particular way, it's compelling and interesting, PART of "a life"

How many of us were constantly refreshing and crossing fingers during the outage? :)

slang 09-24-2004 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad
.......and for those of us who enjoy being social in this particular way, it's compelling and interesting, PART of "a life".

Yes, I suppose so. In the new world of computers and younger people I agree. For older folks this is not anything other than a non-personal form of communication that isn't real or meaningful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad
I think what happens is that people are intimidated and don't necessarily care to break into the "inner circle", although there really is no such thing and anyone can become a true blood Cellarite almost simply by declaring themselves so.

If you read a lot of what is posted here before you post I can see it being intimidating. I guess it depends on what you are posting as your first message. If you visit many forums you see that many times people make the same mistakes in starting off in them. I made many of the stereotypical mistakes and most people seem to also.

If you start off by introducing yourself before posting, this kinda assumes you are going to be around for a while. It says that you find the forum interesting enough to take the time to post and that you are not involved with a specific issue emotionally, that you want to become one of the folks

If you start by posting something really goofy or self serving....I think you get a spankin' , either politely or not so, no matter what board you are using.

After making some seriously bad mistakes here at the cellar in the beggining, I adjusted the way that I post. I didnt have any idea how to do it well. You tend to think that this is not like real life comminications when it really is in many ways.

Now when I start at a new place, I make sure to start a "hello, I'm this crazy guy slang" thread and that works wonders at kicking things off, right from the start. Taking the time to get to know what information is listed at the board and the different personalities and noting any similarities and differences when you introduct yourself immediately gives you positive attention. That applies even if you are a novice at the board's subject and the members are all refined, polished pros.

So, yes, I agree with your idea that this is a part of real life, and when you treat the text personalities as people behind them and not just some forum-bots, you kick things off right. Taking the time and interest to reply to a post with something interesting with value often takes more energy than people lurking are willing or capable of giving.

Also dont forget that many people kant tipe or speel wortha damn and dont wanna luke like dumbasses. :biggrin:



Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad
Some lurkers desperately hope people acknowledge their first post... others desperately hope people DON'T. It's a social thing!

Interesting. I think more specifically, they want to be acknowledged in a positive way. That's tough for a few of us combative, argumentative types.

xoxoxoBruce 09-24-2004 08:59 PM

Tomas, here's an important piece of information. Out in the cold cruel world, it's good to have skills, good to have knowledge but the most important thing for success, is getting along with people.
All kinds of people. Even people you wouldn't give a drink of water if they were dying of thirst.
I can't do it, so I've never been a "success".
You'll have to find out if you can or not, but someday you'll be sitting around reviewing,......you'll remember,... and say "yeah". ;)


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