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noWizardme
Half-elven
Nov 3 2021, 7:09pm
Post #26 of 34
(1574 views)
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It's a ubiquitous problem with anything volunteer-run
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I agree with what people have already said about the effects of film and TV release cycles and the changing technological landscape. Quite aside from that I think these cycles just happen naturally, because we're dependent on volunteers.
I've been involved in a number of volunteer things during my life so far, in several different kinds of activity. They all rely on a few people who are able and willing to do most of the work. So projects are usually just a few resignations, retirements or lowered engagements away from quiescence, near collapse or actual collapse. It's unrealistic to expect the old faithfuls to last forever -- people become less available or willing because of changes of all kinds. And while it is tempting as an active member to be frustrated about people who 'just' lurk and consume others' work without returning anything, I also see that when I do that I'm being unrealistic and unfair. Not everyone has the right combination of time, self-confidence, enthusiasm etc. to poke their head up above even the tiniest parapet, no matter how much I or anyone else describes it for them or offers to fetch a box.
Now of course I used to to help run the 'read-through' programme on the Reading Room board (and at one time was the sole organizer). So I had the task of asking folks to contribute to the projects, and I know why fewer and fewer people would agree to help. Principally it was (1) lack of time or (2) nervousness about not knowing enough / the kinds of reactions they might get. Personally I don't think it's a co-incidence that this became more of an issue from 2016 onwards (with the rise of more toxic and contemptuous online discourse). Sadly, I think we suffered even though our boards are so carefully moderated. I think people became extra-wary or just plain exhausted by what was going on elsewhere.
Thinking about my own career as a poster here, I also think one can reach what you might call the 'OK plateau'. When I first posted in the Reading Room in 2012 I had lots of questions, and people generously gave their time, energy and expertise to help me answer them. They also pointed me towards other resources, and ways of thinking that could help me answer my own questions. So nowadays I know most of what it occurs to me to want to know, and have a point of view about most things it occurs to me to have a point of view about. There's obviously a whole lot more to learn and think about (in principle), but I've become dependent on new people who are in the stage I was in back in 2012. People asking questions that would provoke me to think anew about things, and to bring the enthusiasm and wonder that people have when it is all new and exciting. Otherwise, I'm an old Ent, becoming tree-ish.
But the flip side of everything easily collapsing is that is of course it just takes a few new people to turn up to post interesting things, or organize new projects and we're off again. That will happen if it happens, I suppose.
When there is something new to discuss, the Reading Room forum (for example) is an old donkey but has quite a kick - consider the time recently where we discussed An Egregious Article Against the Tolkien Society's Constructive Attempts. Plenty of 'action', and a discussion that wouldn't have kept so civil on most social media platforms.
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My profile picture is "Kaninchen und Ente" ("Rabbit and Duck") from the 23 October 1892 issue of Fliegende Blätter (see https://en.wikipedia.org/...2%80%93duck_illusion )
(This post was edited by noWizardme on Nov 3 2021, 7:17pm)
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ElanorTX
Tol Eressea
Nov 6 2021, 11:24pm
Post #29 of 34
(1439 views)
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Has anyone read Bowling Alone? Poor Alexis d'Tocqueville... //
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"I shall not wholly fail if anything can still grow fair in days to come."
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Glaurung63
Lorien
Nov 13 2021, 11:12pm
Post #30 of 34
(1306 views)
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Hi all,
It seems Facebook and now Instagram are easier for posting pics, I’m a member of one fan group and it is mostly people posting LOTR art and memes. But I always come here to see what is happening because TORn has had its finger on the pulse of all things Tolkien from its beginning!
It’s the ideas and discussions I enjoy, and yes we are in a lull, and so I’ve read more than post over the last number of years. In the late 1990’s I found TORn and registered as Glaurung. Something happened years later and I had to reregister as Glaurung63. I found two other fan sites back then but TORn had it all and is still my go to site! I had a basement office at the Bronx Zoo when I worked for the Wildlife Conservation Society and people would sneak downstairs and we’d gather around my computer and scroll through everything here and debate casting choices! Remember when Sean Connery was rumored to play Gandalf?.
TORn and everyone here has literally helped me cope with many life changes and issues over the last twenty years! We don’t always reveal what else is going on in life or know that about others, but thank you all for still being here, a Beacon still lit, still connecting me to my love of all things Tolkien.
A quick short story- when I worked for WCS I was originally at the Central Park Zoo in NYC, and I was stationed in the park near the entrance and would get to see and meet lots of people, some famous. One night I watched Elijah Wood on I think Letterman. He was maybe 12 in the early 90’s. The next day at work I’m telling my friend that there’s this young actor who looks like a hobbit! And if a movie gets made he should be Bilbo or Frodo! No kidding, a half hour or so later Elijah walks into the zoo with people. I said omg that’s him!!!! To my friend who totally agreed he was a hobbit. Now, we didn’t approach him and geek out because we had to stay professional but I wanted to big time lol!!! Years later my friend and I totally bugged out when we learned here on TORn that Elijah was cast as Frodo.
Peace my friends, I’m going to listen to more Audible of Andy Serkis reading LOTR. Amazing!!!!!
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Eruonen
Valinor
Nov 14 2021, 12:20am
Post #31 of 34
(1293 views)
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Great story, I recall seeing him in Radio Flyer and The Good Son
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Paulo Gabriel
Lorien
Nov 20 2021, 6:13am
Post #32 of 34
(1123 views)
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I don't feel unwelcome at all. I gererally prefer forums to other types of ''social media''.
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Loresilme
Valinor
Nov 29 2021, 11:23pm
Post #33 of 34
(886 views)
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This, very much so:
TORn and everyone here has literally helped me cope with many life changes and issues over the last twenty years! We don’t always reveal what else is going on in life or know that about others, but thank you all for still being here, a Beacon still lit, still connecting me to my love of all things Tolkien.
I have made old friends here and look forward to new friends still to meet. It's beautiful, warm and welcoming... I like your description - a "Beacon still lit".
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Ioreth
Rivendell
Jan 3, 7:46pm
Post #34 of 34
(79 views)
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But I really really really prefer this board format to any "new fangled stuff" - well, maybe apart from some discord servers but that mostly since they so remind me of old IRC chats :) ...
I just have had too much at work to do for much other stuff ...
(and no, not wanting anything to do with data harvesting companies ala facebook. NEVER)
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Maybe I am too old
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