Why join? - A curiosity.

[carpriver]

I come here because I am so Lonely, so very lonely, I joined after my dr. told me I needed more Human contact.

 

[zzzippper]

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.

Well aren't you special!

 

[walkin jack]

In my experience with joining one thing or another, most notably my local citizens police academy and subsequently the alumni association, I have come to realize that there are a lot of people that for some reason they LOVE to join stuff but when it comes to participating or helping out they can't be bothered. Perhaps they like the feeling of belonging but really intend to take part.

Why? Maybe to boost their self image without having to DO anything.

 

[rwt1405]

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

I was taught something similar, the 10-80-10 rule:

10% are exceptional employees

80% are good employees and do their job, but nothing more

10% are terrible employees and do next to nothing, or worse

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...did you know that you cannot close your account?...once you join here you are here for the duration...I assume it keeps the membership numbers high for advertising purposes...you can abandon your account if you want...or you can be banned...but your account will live on...I know of one member that has been permanently banned...and his account lives on...he just can't use it...

 

[the ringo kid]

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?

It IS strange but--man y are just lurkers of dark corners. Ive seen that on numerous sites.

 

[the ringo kid]

Perhaps they like the feeling of belonging but really intend to take part.

Why? Maybe to boost their self image without having to DO anything.

In other words--Procrastinators. I might add:

 

[JH1951]

Brings back memories related to past employment where we found the Pareto Principle (The 80/20 Rule), and standard bell curves have some vaidity......

 

[catadjuster]

I can't speak for other members who don't post a lot. I joined about a year ago because I like Smiths and own/carry several. I followed a link from Xavier to find this place, because this isn't something I would search the internet for.

Though I don't reply much and have only started one thread, I stop by here a couple times a week just to check in. I don't reply very often because I really don't believe that I have much to contribute on the technical threads and usually on the Lounge threads, somebody else says what I was gonna say.

 

[forindooruseonly]

I check in just about everyday. If I find something to contribute, or have a comment or question, I'll post. If not, I'm happy to read up on things. I've never been a big tracker of post counts, and the forum where I have the highest post count I almost never visit anymore.

I've been here just about the same amount of time as Rastoff, who has 10.5k comments. I haven't broken the 500 mark. But that's not something that bothers me, it isn't a competition.

 

[Muss Muggins]

...did you know that you cannot close your account?...once you join here you are here for the duration...I assume it keeps the membership numbers high for advertising purposes...you can abandon your account if you want...or you can be banned...but your account will live on...I know of one member that has been permanently banned...and his account lives on...he just can't use it...

Nope. I just did a search for a forum user who I know has been dumped hard very recently. No evidence of his posts, and his username does not appear on the member list . . .

 

[Oldfrt]

I prefer to keep my stupid to myself.

 

[rwsmith]

Is this that.......

Is this that 'silent majority' we've heard about?

 

[Mr.Shield]

I'm on here everyday reading. There is so much good information on here. I don't post much but I'm still a newer member.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[snubbyfan]

Well now that's interesting, I'm at the top of the list.
Guess that means I just don't have much of a life.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

When I traded for that Beretta Model 70s, I did join the Beretta Forum.
I was looking for magazines, info on where to get some, etc,
Success! I'm all mag-ed up!
I have 7.
So now I'm an non active Beretta guy.

 

[Jessie]

Well now that's interesting, I'm at the top of the list.
Guess that means I just don't have much of a life.

Indians and alcohol, tobacco and guns.
Maybe they have something there...

 

[Old TexMex]

I came to improve my english. It's not working....

 

[THEMULE]

Well now that's interesting, I'm at the top of the list.
Guess that means I just don't have much of a life.

I wanna drink beer with this guy, just not Miller lite.
I'm in the garage doing the same thing Snub......
Bob

 

[susieqz]

someone is keeping track of my posts?
do i get points?
can i win a toaster?
you guys get that my posts are just my normal inane chatter, right?

oops, i just saw that my post count is listed accross from my name.
guess i should have known, but i don't look there. i just read stuff.