Why join? - A curiosity.

[Rastoff]

Sometimes I think of strange things. Today, for example, I was looking at the member list by post count. I noticed that a lot of members don't actually post.

There are 186,043 members of this forum. 53,296 of them have only made one post and 75,532 have never posted at all. That's 69% of the membership that either never or hardly ever participates.

Are most forums like this? Is most of the population like this? Is this why we have such troubles in the legislative world? Am I over-thinking this?

 

[5point5sixGUY]

Interesting numbers...

 

[Yarddog1]

I think lots of people are just looking for information. Either that or by the time they read the op and following posts, their response has already been expressed by someone else.

 

[H Richard]

I think many join (register) to ask just one question or so, and go away never to return. As with nearly every organization there is a small number that seem dedicated to participating, and a lot who just want to sit back and observe. It's the same in many employers, the few who lead and the rest who just follow,

 

[Arik]

Many people just want to find some info on a specific gun. They join, search, find what they were looking for and done

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Salty RI]

I guess you had a lot of time on your hands today.

 

[Targets Guy]

Think of them as our inactive reservists. Ready when needed.

 

[jeff85]

I rarely post yet I visit almost daily.
Learned a boatload by just sitting back and reading.

 

[16thVACav]

There are a small number of people who have the discipline to keep their mouths shut until they actually have something meaningful to say.

Unfortunately, they are outnumbered by those who run their mouths continuously simply because they can.

Both types are well represented on the forum.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

You've uncovered a thing that is a snapshot of our society.

To "join" used to reflect some sort of commitment to participate. I don't believe that's true now.

I see scores of one-time posters who seek information about a gun they either recently acquired or are thinking of buying. This forum's "engaged participants" often go out of their way to volunteer their time and resources to answer the OP's question(s).

What I see in most cases is a question the OP could have answered on their own by doing a bit of research on the forum. But that's not the way of modern society. It's easy to find this forum, but it takes personal responsibility to seek out the answers to questions instead of simply asking a question and waiting for those in the know to fill in the blanks. Often, too often, I don't see the OP come back with so much as a "thank you" for the information folks here have provided.

The practice is a reflection of the impersonal and anonymous way of the Internet's influence on our society. Folks expect immediate feedback from "their computer," but this forum is not their favorite, automated search engine. In this forum's case -- and others I'm sure -- there's are human beings making time to provide the response.

A measure we used when I was in the 'Force to define who did what when it came to outside-the-workplace functions and events was this: "10% of the folks do 90% of the work." Or this:

- A few make things happen
- Some see things happening and offer a hand
- Many watch things happen
- Too many ask, "what happened?"

--end of rant--

Bob

 

[soFlaNative]

Did not know the member list sorted by post count (learned something today despite my best effort). As HR mentioned like other organizations some lead, some follow and others bide their time until needed. Unlike some orgs. those who speak the most actually have something worthwhile to contribute.

 

[coltle6920]

I have seen members that joined around 2003 with only a couple hundred posts to their credit.Apparently they have more of a Life than I do.

Quality outranks quantity every time whether you are entertaining or educating.

 

[Freischütz]

Some firearms forums won't let you see the pictures unless you join. I'm a member of one for that reason.

 

[Arik]

You've uncovered a thing that is a snapshot of our society.

To "join" used to reflect some sort of commitment to participate. I don't believe that's true now.

I see scores of one-time posters who seek information about a gun they either recently acquired or are thinking of buying. This forum's "engaged participants" often go out of their way to volunteer their time and resources to answer the OP's question(s).

What I see in most cases is a question the OP could have answered on their own by doing a bit of research on the forum. But that's not the way of modern society. It's easy to find this forum, but it takes personal responsibility to seek out the answers to questions instead of simply asking a question and waiting for those in the know to fill in the blanks. Often, too often, I don't see the OP come back with so much as a "thank you" for the information folks here have provided.

The practice is a reflection of the impersonal and anonymous way of the Internet's influence on our society. Folks expect immediate feedback from "their computer," but this forum is not their favorite, automated search engine. In this forum's case -- and others I'm sure -- there's are human beings making time to provide the response.

A measure we used when I was in the 'Force to define who did what when it came to outside-the-workplace functions and events was this: "10% of the folks do 90% of the work." Or this:

- A few make things happen
- Some see things happening and offer a hand
- Many watch things happen
- Too many ask, "what happened?"

--end of rant--

Bob

To give a slightly different outlook. Those who only ask one question about the gun they inherited may not be gun people and may have no interest in forums. They may not realize that there is a search function or that even topics are saved.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[wbraswell]

I just come here to face my inordinate fear of gorillas.

 

[timjake]

I join very few forums. The one I've been part of the longest now has a little shy of 12,000 registered users. If you look at the posts, there are only a few hundred who actively participate in the discussions.

It's a model warship site. Most of the people who join are looking for info on a particular kit or techniques to make their models look better. Many go silent after those questions are answered.

 

[Maddog 521]

There is so much information to read here. When you get done reading you have to start all over again.

 

[snuffy51]

I joined to get information about a Model of 1905 revolver I found at our LGS/Senior Daycare. Didn't take but just a little while. Haven't had to ask many more questions because I can read a lot faster with my two eyes than I can type with two fingers. There is a wealth of info here about firearms in general, S&W in particular, and just living. I truly like it.

 

[Absalom]

Some firearms forums won't let you see the pictures unless you join. I'm a member of one for that reason.

Not just firearms forums. If you do a lot of online research, you run into this a lot. I'm a member of several specialty forums where I've only gone once or twice to look for a certain piece of information or picture for a specific purpose, but don't participate since it's not my special interest.

There are also gun forums to which I belong, but haven't visited in years since I don't own guns of that brand any more. In the electronic age, there is really no point in officially "leaving"; your continued "membership" doesn't make work or bother anyone (well, except people worrying about the numbers of non-participating members ).

 

[erics]

Did you check how many of the single posts went something like this "I was wondering what my ?????? is worth?"

Many also might have joined to follow items for sale.