Where Have All The People Gone?

very good we need more intelligent discussion. those used to draw a lot of comments and interest but not so much now. very sad.

yes.

Brian, I miss all the exchanges and debate, even those that challenged my own views and beliefs.

To be honest, I stopped posting stuff of that nature because of Trolls and mean people. I got so sick of being attacked for being a Liberal. It was really taking me to a bad place, so now I post on more neutral topics - like debt and money. Gather has changed, I think with a lot of the updates and posting problems a lot of early Gather members that remember the "glory days" have left. I think Gather is starting to try to hard to be a social networking site, it's not, it's better than one. Well was, but hey don't get me wrong, I'm not going anywhere.

If you want I could "fight" with you over this, for old times sake. ;0)

Ghostly, I do miss our exchanges. I love a good fight and you are right Gather is fastly becoming more of a social site.

check out the buzz.gather thingie, there is some controversial stuff there (sometimes), I just look for the idjits and hit them...but for now, I will stick to just being evil.

Nellie I think I will.

My own Gathering has dropped off considerably over the past year.

I stopped posting and commenting as much as I used to because (A) comment strings became WAY too insulting and incendiary; and (B) because it is wholly disheartening to spend hours crafting a piece that only gets ten comments or less.

Also there is (C) the fact that Gather was originally perceived as a great venue for writers to get feedback from audiences, but then it changed to more of a messaging construct. From my perspective, if all I want is a platform for communicating with friends and family, then I'm better off using Facebook or Twitter; both of which are longer established as messaging sites, and which is where most people do their messaging and sharing.

That original uniqueness I perceived is still here at Gather, despite the fact that it has been painted over many times during the upgrades and restructurings. For a while there, I thought Gather was nothing more than a testing ground for programs that programmers wanted to sell.

Seems everyone is busy these days and Gather is having to take the backseat.

I like good debate myself, and do enjoy reading different viewpoints; especially when they are expressed maturely. Even though I came late, I'd say the focus was more on gather being a writing site when I came; which I did like a bit better. I still enjoy gather though, because there are still people who write about thought provoking topics; and there are individuals who do express differing opinions maturely and reasonably.

Ellen that is why I haven't quit Gather. There are still a few individuals whose work I like reading.

It's hard to discuss 'Good morning, Gather. How are you today?' Well, it could be discussed, but the conversation wouldn't be much better than the article posted.

I'm beginning to find Twitter more fun.

Rob, good evening...how aren't you tonight? Muhahahaha

What Rob said.

Hey Juan.

Hey Lori.

I totally agree & could ask you the same question-you haven't been around for awhile. Welcome back!!

Juan J, The intelligence shown by the electorate in November last, is beginning to have an effect, and there does not seem to be nearly as much to "gripe" about. So, the motivation of all those people has been reduced, INTELLECT WON, Stupid Got a Can of ButtKick for Christmas. The losers are licking their wounds, and looking for weak links in the chain, and the winners are working on shoring up the weak links. (Mixed Metaphor for sure, but it works)

I think it is sad that we cannot seem to find a cause to champion that is not already taken. Obama is on the economy like the proverbial duck on a junebug. Obama is on the war in Iraq like smoke on a country ham. Obama is after Bin Laden and Al Q'aida like a fox after a chicken. Obama is promoting affordable health care like a pantsuit on Hillary Clinton. And Obama is...you get the picture.

Until the mid term elections, or Obama makes a mess of something we are all just simple minded observers.

Take a look at what Dave McGill is publishing, and try looking for a political group or two that you haven't seen yet.

Finally, in keeping with Mari H's comment. DO SOME POSTING OF YOUR OWN. Your work has always been refreshing and spot on.

I normally didn't participate in some of the debates. I did enjoy reading the different view points from Gather members.