Time for a Divine Rant.
As the years have gone by, and I've seen active posters come and go, as well as certain folks stand the test of time, a few things are brought continuously to mind by watching the same little soap-operas play out on the board over and over again. The people participating in these always seem to think they're original, which amuses me at times.
I remember clearly when the board was new, the group small, when there was a sense of wonder and excitement to be able to talk about our common interest, OPENLY, with people who would 'get it'. What many of you who haven't been on long probably don't know is that for the earliest years of it's existence, the TMF was almost exclusively discussion oriented. This was simply because of the fact that at that time, it wasn't possible to upload pictures, clips, audio, etc. And frankly, at that time, new material from the producers who were active then was RARE, clips were small and blurry, and nearly everyone was afflicted with the dialup that still rules my existence here on the goddamned island.
It's easy to view the past through the lens of nostalgia, to recall things as having been better than they were. That first kiss, so sweet it's taste lingers in memory, the first night spent sharing secrets with someone you love until dawn catches you both by surprise. The first time you made love, rather than just had sex. These things are all fogged by time, and given a halo that perhaps, were human memory not such a frail and everchanging thing, they wouldn't retain.
I remember that, because the forum didn't really have very much in the way of clips/pictures, etc (NOTHING like the endless buffet of these things that's available today) we tended to spend more time talking about our interests, our experiences. Set the forum to display the posts from the beginning, in the dropdown list, and go take a look, see for yourself. Some people talked a great deal about their lives, some of it was interesting, some of it frankly pretty banal. But overall, there was a feeling of connection to those who are like ourselves in a very personal way.
People who remembered those early cartoons, who used to look up 'tickle' in the dictionary when they were growing up, just to see what it said, and maybe even see it used in a sentence. People who got a chill from doing that, in those pre-internet days. Younger members in many cases don't seem to realize the wealth with which they are inundated because they don't know how scarce it was before, and even moreso before AMT and ASFT.
However, it is also true that the 50 bucks that you sweated and bled and cried to earn is much more meaningful than the same money daddy gave you for your birthday. In this age of a plethora of media, I find myself drawn more back to those early relationships and friendships, and the ones I've been able to forge in more recent years, rather than to media. In an odd way, the friendships I've forged, the personal anecdotes I've shared and had shared by these people, those are EARNED, rather than given. And that makes them more valuable, at least to me.
I think that the vast majority of the current membership (who for the most part don't post at all) simply use the Forum as a place to download clips, pictures, etc. Clips, you see, don't talk back. They don't have desires or opinions, wants or needs of their own. One need not interact with them, only to watch passively and enjoy. People, you see, can be frightening. Can do things you do NOT want them to do, can say things that are hurtful, can kick you when you're down. Media, on the other hand, is a mute, dumb, but completely steadfast friend which will always 'love you'.
The people I consider to be friends on this forum (this is a very short list) are those I"ve found to be those I'd want to be around in the real world. Frankly, I tend to interact with these folks as much off the board as on it, and although my location makes it tough, there's a definite group that I'd give a great deal to meet.
It seems to me that, with all the obsessing about 'social standing' and 'being liked' by people who simply share a common interest, people seem to forget something. See, your computer, my computer, everyone's, they all have something in common. I'm going to tell you what it is, and it's EVER so wonderful. Are you ready? It's called a power button. The forum can be interesting, entertaining, and a great place to see and make friends. But the ability to step back from your interests is a sign of intelligence and maturity.
There is a world outside your basement, a world filled with adventure, excitement, warmth, and lots and lots of people. When you find yourself typing out vehement replies to perceived slights, often from complete fucking strangers who don't know anything about you that you haven't chosen to share, I'd strongly suggest you remember where that power button is. No, you don't have to 'leave the board', and doing this isn't 'running away from your problems', it's mature. Go for a run, play with your kids, or your dog, or yourself. Surprise your spouse or girlfriend/boyfriend with a kiss, or a relentless tickle, or coat them in jello if they're into that. But for gods sake, do SOMETHING else to put the forum into perspective, to prevent it from looming larger in your mind than it should. Whether it's about clips and pictures or about being universally loved by all, obsession is an inherently unhealthy thing.
I have dear friends on the board whose opinion I value, who BECAUSE I value their opinion, have the power to hurt me if they choose. I also have that power over them, and it's a mutual bond that, while we may argue at times, that connection remains implicit in our interactions. I have good old friends, and good new ones, and I cherish them all for their unique perspectives. I am ALSO aware that there are many people on the board who don't care for me, for a lot of varied reasons. I'll let you in on the secret to happiness: I don't care. They have their reasons, I'm certain, and I don't lose sleep over those either. If someone close to me had those same feelings, of course I would care, but giving that power over your emotions to a complete stranger is as dangerous and stupid as naked tabledancing in prison.
Just my usual rambling.
Jason
As the years have gone by, and I've seen active posters come and go, as well as certain folks stand the test of time, a few things are brought continuously to mind by watching the same little soap-operas play out on the board over and over again. The people participating in these always seem to think they're original, which amuses me at times.
I remember clearly when the board was new, the group small, when there was a sense of wonder and excitement to be able to talk about our common interest, OPENLY, with people who would 'get it'. What many of you who haven't been on long probably don't know is that for the earliest years of it's existence, the TMF was almost exclusively discussion oriented. This was simply because of the fact that at that time, it wasn't possible to upload pictures, clips, audio, etc. And frankly, at that time, new material from the producers who were active then was RARE, clips were small and blurry, and nearly everyone was afflicted with the dialup that still rules my existence here on the goddamned island.
It's easy to view the past through the lens of nostalgia, to recall things as having been better than they were. That first kiss, so sweet it's taste lingers in memory, the first night spent sharing secrets with someone you love until dawn catches you both by surprise. The first time you made love, rather than just had sex. These things are all fogged by time, and given a halo that perhaps, were human memory not such a frail and everchanging thing, they wouldn't retain.
I remember that, because the forum didn't really have very much in the way of clips/pictures, etc (NOTHING like the endless buffet of these things that's available today) we tended to spend more time talking about our interests, our experiences. Set the forum to display the posts from the beginning, in the dropdown list, and go take a look, see for yourself. Some people talked a great deal about their lives, some of it was interesting, some of it frankly pretty banal. But overall, there was a feeling of connection to those who are like ourselves in a very personal way.
People who remembered those early cartoons, who used to look up 'tickle' in the dictionary when they were growing up, just to see what it said, and maybe even see it used in a sentence. People who got a chill from doing that, in those pre-internet days. Younger members in many cases don't seem to realize the wealth with which they are inundated because they don't know how scarce it was before, and even moreso before AMT and ASFT.
However, it is also true that the 50 bucks that you sweated and bled and cried to earn is much more meaningful than the same money daddy gave you for your birthday. In this age of a plethora of media, I find myself drawn more back to those early relationships and friendships, and the ones I've been able to forge in more recent years, rather than to media. In an odd way, the friendships I've forged, the personal anecdotes I've shared and had shared by these people, those are EARNED, rather than given. And that makes them more valuable, at least to me.
I think that the vast majority of the current membership (who for the most part don't post at all) simply use the Forum as a place to download clips, pictures, etc. Clips, you see, don't talk back. They don't have desires or opinions, wants or needs of their own. One need not interact with them, only to watch passively and enjoy. People, you see, can be frightening. Can do things you do NOT want them to do, can say things that are hurtful, can kick you when you're down. Media, on the other hand, is a mute, dumb, but completely steadfast friend which will always 'love you'.
The people I consider to be friends on this forum (this is a very short list) are those I"ve found to be those I'd want to be around in the real world. Frankly, I tend to interact with these folks as much off the board as on it, and although my location makes it tough, there's a definite group that I'd give a great deal to meet.
It seems to me that, with all the obsessing about 'social standing' and 'being liked' by people who simply share a common interest, people seem to forget something. See, your computer, my computer, everyone's, they all have something in common. I'm going to tell you what it is, and it's EVER so wonderful. Are you ready? It's called a power button. The forum can be interesting, entertaining, and a great place to see and make friends. But the ability to step back from your interests is a sign of intelligence and maturity.
There is a world outside your basement, a world filled with adventure, excitement, warmth, and lots and lots of people. When you find yourself typing out vehement replies to perceived slights, often from complete fucking strangers who don't know anything about you that you haven't chosen to share, I'd strongly suggest you remember where that power button is. No, you don't have to 'leave the board', and doing this isn't 'running away from your problems', it's mature. Go for a run, play with your kids, or your dog, or yourself. Surprise your spouse or girlfriend/boyfriend with a kiss, or a relentless tickle, or coat them in jello if they're into that. But for gods sake, do SOMETHING else to put the forum into perspective, to prevent it from looming larger in your mind than it should. Whether it's about clips and pictures or about being universally loved by all, obsession is an inherently unhealthy thing.
I have dear friends on the board whose opinion I value, who BECAUSE I value their opinion, have the power to hurt me if they choose. I also have that power over them, and it's a mutual bond that, while we may argue at times, that connection remains implicit in our interactions. I have good old friends, and good new ones, and I cherish them all for their unique perspectives. I am ALSO aware that there are many people on the board who don't care for me, for a lot of varied reasons. I'll let you in on the secret to happiness: I don't care. They have their reasons, I'm certain, and I don't lose sleep over those either. If someone close to me had those same feelings, of course I would care, but giving that power over your emotions to a complete stranger is as dangerous and stupid as naked tabledancing in prison.
Just my usual rambling.
Jason
