I think its what is termed ' the perfect storm'
A number of complementry events, movements and trends have combined.
a/ When the sport was 1st growing and there were a few people widely scattered over the country and the forum got people together and served as a virtual social meeting place. As groups sprang up some created their own forums. Logical and a sign of strength in the sport. But tookaway a great deal of the life. And also the coordination and connections.
b/ Componded by the likes of Facebook. It is easier to keep intouch with local friends and the far flung ones , in many ways, there...where it also combines and fits in with the rest of ones life.As an example I spent an hour on there this evening chatting away trying to diagnose some1s problem with a still and a date for them and 1 or 2 others to come down to a portsmouth gym meet This again means that noobs coming on here see v little life and little of events that r happening all over the place. Also on FB 1 doesnt need to resize pictures!! grrr
It also has had a knock on affect with the JJ forum, The JJ's themselves have been v quiet over the summer ( whole variety of reasons some of which r only just comming to light-- eg a family breakup ( and 4 used to be regulars) ). Tho things seem to be piking up OK now, fingers crossed. Dispite posting events there, often here and sending out regular newsletters. Im still being txt'd and asked on fb 'whens the next meet Q'!!! There hasnt been the 'buzz' about haloween that there was in the past, but there is every reason to think the event will be as big, if not bigger than last years.
To a great extent this is somethin 1 has to except and adapt to if possible.
c/ Carl Green in a post a month or 2 back stated that he didnt come on here much becuase there wasnt much serious descussion. Indeed a fair comment But there has been a train of thought that this type of forum just isnt the place to dicuss 'big issues'. So this is where it gets to serious 'diagreement' ( possibly). However imperfect this forum is still the best place for central discussion and disemination of infomation about the sport. The sport is just too small to fragment and I really think that when a ball starts to roll and ideas jump about, and virtual fists fly then best ideas and events are created.
So posting about events ( with a pix or vid after ) will be a reasonable and not too taxing start. The person I was chatting to on fb lives well over 100 miles away and came to a meet last winter only cos the JJ's were posting here. They are as close , if not closer to several other groups. Even if few if any extra peeps go to any1 meet, it will be a small service to the sport.
That may create a momentum and Id say is worth trying.
d/ Big events, and indeed medium sized ones. Lets starting think of 1 or 2 for next year and seriously plan together. Earlier this year Locky suggested a sports event. Nowrt happened, not Id say because the idea was a bad 1. But timing plays a part, people now know of the French event and of the possibilities and if any1 has seen the comments by Katie and Paul ( to say nothing of the French themselves), again on fb, then they know how fired up these people r.
So as a 'winter project'maybe? If this post gets a positive responce. Naz, possibly set up a new board, with general sports chat, track & field, Artistic, fun and organisation/admin. See from the posts there what is or is not popular and gradularly build an event round that input. But wth maximum oppertunity for participation, with the possibility of any final tieing up and professionalizing things going on in private, by the people who have been most enthusiastic and knowledgable.
Ill also keep banging on about the idea of 'regional' meets. It is a reality of most 'national' sports that competitors/enthusiasts dont travel the length of the country but travel a limited distance from their home area. That is a reality we should except. SO EA's went to the Lincolnshire gym meet, its prob a bit too far for me for a day trip
. But a meet in say Reading could get me motoring up, its also not too far for the EA's to head south or some of the EPW to travel west. The JJ's and RR's have tentatively started having 'midway meets' in Sidmouth, numbers have not been stella ( and as im driving, neither has been the beer), but the meets go on, they r fun and are hopefully a solid base 4 the future. A giraffe.
A week or so ago Nero suggested that historically things do go a bit flat about now. He is correct. Many of u are staarting new academic years. Possibly new institutions and moving away from home. This creates many academic ( this includes me this year and ive set aside myphotography theory homework to write all this) and if chocl8's fb pix are typical, non academic distractions ( do you know Tims actually shaving now! Yep lil Timmy
). Add in the first cold blast of wind and the stilts can be pushed to 1side. But it may also mask a real shift in the way the forum is used, or not used.
So to sum up, I think there are structural changes in social network, driven by facebook, that means this forum will not be the same as it was in the past. To counter that, it needs to change. Ive offered my suggestions, I hope they are of some help and comfort or atleast stimulate more debate AND ACTION.
Thse things have been on my mind for a lil while ( so thanks Naz for giving the oppertunity to air them) buthave been written down rather as they come to me, so Im sorry if its jumbled a bit and I may have stuff in my head Ive missed and may add later.
PS ooo yep just thought another thing that keeps the forum lively is a new group. Be it the JJ's way back on PP.com. The EAs here, more latterly the TV bockers. But gradually these groups deveelop their own , more direct means of communication. So basically, if 1 sees the potential for a new group forming ( sussex maybe, the north west and few more peeps in Belfast as possible examples) do all to encourage. This is also where medium range/inter club meets should be encouraged, cos I think this still has the edge as a place to discuss and organise...and inspire!
