Wow, this place is getting boring!

[PurpleStyle]

I don't know if it's the lack of AWESOME threads by Izzy, or Purple always seeming to come on the chat when I'm about to leave, or, what. (Though, with me and Purple on the chat at the same time, it just might get a little heated... might. I'm warning you in advance if you see us both online in the chat :stickout)

Unlike some people, you appear actually willing to listen and try to work out how your ideas can work in the natural realm. I have a certain admiration for that.

Some of us have been here longer than 11 months. And a few years ago, it was possible- and nice- to have those types of discussions. Back when we didn't know everything and were open to other ideas. More interesting, worldy people sharing their actual lives and activities. Unfortunately, it's devolved. Big time.

I'll take that thinly-veiled insult as a compliment to my intelligence and mastery of astronomy. 🙂

You have yourself a comfortable evening pretending that the religious folks don't pretend they know everything. I'm done with this.

To everyone else: Sorry. If my opinions about things that have absolutely no evidence based in reality disturb you, that's not my problem.

 

[Dr. Bill Kobb]

These things come in waves. Like Rick said, some flame-free forums are on occasion more active...but active in what? Also, to go along with Rick here, I myself have been far more involved in meatspace. That and trying to make one decent working computer out of what's left of two. Add to that the winter blahs and the aforementioned social tide, and you get these quiet times.

I'll do my best to liven things up a bit in the near future. 🙂

Yeah, I've been down the street this evening having a blast getting tied-up, tickled, flogged, paddled, and more at the hands of one of the most incredible women I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. And all that before we had dinner!

Personally, I have been mulling over the same concerns as Bella for some time. I think the era of computer message boards/bulletin boards may be somewhat past. Or at least waning. They were fun when the Net was young, but now? I dunno.

I've pretty much limited myself to two online boards anymore. Here, and a trash culture board with some close-knit friends.

 

[Oblivion]

 

[ticklewolf89]

O I C WAT U DID THAR.

That's all I had to contribute...sorry guys. >.<

 

[ElFewja]

It happened around when the server crashed, in my opinion. I've had the feeling that the site's been pretty dead since then.

Examples to support myself: the poll has not changed since the server wipe. There has not been a new News comment for some time. (Next is from personal bias) The writing contest disappeared without a single word, granted I realize why. It's just... I get the feeling the admins don't care, which is lumping every admin into the seat of one, whom I have a negative outlook for that is un-related to his absence (TT probably has good reason to not be around). To end this really bad paragraph, I'm not trying to judge by any means; merely intended to list things I think are related to this site going down hill. The reasons behind them... well, reasons are always relevant, but that the discussion of them in this setting is not the most relevant and kind of want to stay away from that? Did that make sense? I think I'm trying to avoid an argument/debate by posting that part.

Not that I post much, but when I do I feel I get a stronger response over at the TMF, assuming that the post is identical. For example, if I ask a question both here and there, I'll at least get a response there, and that means a lot to me. Of course that is related to the amount of members, percentages, math and a whole bunch of stuff but... something is better than nothing. But at the same time, it's a consistent bunch here, so you know who exactly is responding, allowing you to actually get something from what they've said.

Hm. That close knittedness can hurt, though. With so few members on this forum, there is too high of a percentage of people I dislike (none have posted in this topic yet; actually, I may only come over here for Sable these days, now that I think of it). Yeah I dunno what Im saying, and that means I'm going off topic, so hitting the posty button.

Etc.

 

[revboy]

Irony

How ironic that this is yet another thread in TT that will NEVER contain tickling whatsoever...but at least it's still very self aware.

I missed you guys​

 

[FeatherDaemon1]

I pop in from time to time, but I've been more or less busy with my new job, my non-tickling writing endeavors and other real-life stuff.

I agree that the crash took the wind out the sails of many. I remember when everyone was jazzed about the arcade all the new changes and the energy which was generated around that time.

As for the for the forums it has always ebbed and flowed. Plus this time of year is generally cold and depressing anyways (north of the equator that is). I think once the weather warms up people will generally have more energy.

 

[kopfhorer1]

I wonder how much of our traffic has been lost to Facebook? (How many ticklephiles can one meet while playing Farmville? 🙂 )

 

[player 01]

I've only recently realized that its been about 4 years today that i discovered this community.

Looking back on those past days, yeah i feel i've missed out by not being more active earlier.

But yeah, i'm inclined to agree, lack of diversity and willingness to openly express one's self is a major source of problems here, primarily because no one's willing to entertain interests of view points that differ from or challenge their's.

 

[Budweiserbob!]

And from the ashes of conflict and hatred, comes the thread that the majority have wanted to see for a long time. 😉

It seems to me that TT still has the potential to raise interesting discussions from out of the blue (despite the true nature of the actual thread). It's just a skill that has been laying dorment for a while. Why? Who knows... but it's still there. 😛

 

[MistressValerie1]

We can revisit whether to create a spam ("silly stuff") forum to isolate the low-quality posts, and/or a politics and religion forum for those who want a place to debate. Suggestions are welcomed.

 

[10 armed tkler]

Or maybe ya have just gotten bored with each other?

 

[player 01]

We can revisit whether to create a spam ("silly stuff") forum to isolate the low-quality posts, and/or a politics and religion forum for those who want a place to debate. Suggestions are welcomed.

Well i'm always supportive of a current events and extended discussion (for deeper and heavier topics such as discussing religion and philosophy) forums being added.

Of course they'll have to be tightly moderated to avoid mud flinging and flame wars, that often come with such forums, ATOL is pretty good example of what happens when such places are poorly maintained.

 

[Oblivion]

How ironic that this is yet another thread in TT that will NEVER contain tickling whatsoever...but at least it's still very self aware.

I missed you guys​

Well, it is the General Discussion Forum, as opposed to the Tickling Forum. 😀


Most of places I have been to that have heavy debate topics ADMIT that there is going to be ruffled feathers, people getting into a tizzy and wanting to snap at each others throats.

So. Maybe make a sub-forum to the general forum called "Srs Business" where people can have their little debates about which of their life choice religions are the best, or they can talk about how great/not-great Obama and his cabinet are.

And then have a post that specifies what you can and cannot do.

A) You can provide historical facts and conjecture.
B) You cannot compare the other persons face to feces because they said something you don't agree with.
C) Same rules as the rest of the forum cept even more strict; it's a sub-forum and you don't have to go there. So stay out if you don't want to see a difference of opinion.


-SHRUG- My two cents.

 

[Dr. Bill Kobb]

Tough times out there these days. Be glad if you have the time to squander on a message board at all, you bunch of whiny pansies. :fuk2:

 

[juggernaut]

I couldn't give a shit less what's actually talked about in a tickle forum. I know a few level headed members capable of having religious/political conversations. That doesn't mean I'm personally hung up on those two topics, it's that those two topics are a huge part of the real world. And years ago, right here in TT, people could more easily share thoughts or ideas about the real world in addition to their fantasies here. We would hear about school, jobs, problems at home, marriages, budding relationships, tragic endings to relationships, deaths, births, etc. It was more like a bunch or close friends hanging out and you felt like you knew them... even if you lurked. Now it's like the 3rd day at a new school for everyone. You catch a few names, but there's too much turnover, bullshit, and flash-in-the-pan new members [who only get attention if they're female or at least say they're female].

Years ago, there were some religiously based replies or posts - not necessarily threads -scattered throughout random streams of conversation. And sure as shit, there was always one bitter, insecure female who had to jump in unnecessarily and suggest that the mods do something about it and remind everyone to leave God out of it. Given enough time, you have what's here today. People jumping on stuff for no reason. Nobody says "Give me your address, I'm going to mail you a Bible." But we're allowed to talk all day about protons. If that's someone's belief system, I guess I'm entitled to ask the mods to squash that shit, right? Because I don't agree and we can't very well have a discussion where two sides don't agree. So knock that shit off. Let's post more cartoons. [And no, Purplestyle, this is not about you... though you seem to take offense to most everything I say. I guess the shoe fits.]

And you see the middle finger at the end of Rick's post? Kind of a dick move, but I'm glad he did it. If thats what he feels right now, he should be able to say it. And if that's his personality all the time, so be it [which I don't believe it is]. At least it's got some spice. Or should I be looking over my virtual shoulder at the loudspeaker on the wall waiting for the robotic "PLEASE DO NOT USE THE FUCK YOU SMILEY EMOTICON" instruction?

Being open to a new area for political or religious topics is nice, but it'd hit the floor like a lead balloon. Someone stated above "It'll need to be closely mod'd". No... it would need to be left alone. Anything short of death threats and really direct personal attacks should be left alone. But that would never happen. Ever.

 

[Dave2112]

Oh, I see whatcha did there, Rick. 😉

OK, let me address this to the various members and the staff here. It's rather general, and I just woke up. :blink

First off, it's funny that it's been mentioned, because I was just thinking on this last night and there IS a new and growing sociology of the internet. Facebook, Twitter and all of that stuff are taking the internet in a new direction. Now, if you're an attention *****...you can get your attention faster and customize it to your specifications. Even group-based sites like FetLife are eating into the message board market. And speaking of markets...once message boards and forums go the way of the old stuff like AMT (probably by the end of this decade if not WAY sooner given the speed at which we as a species follow shiny objects), advertisers will be more picky. Hell, even the TMF may eventually wind up with a front page not plastered with ads. (I mean, come on...a poker site ad on a fetish forum? That just screams "I'm doing this for the money.")

Ok, so what do we do here, and now?

Although I know many of the staff and admins (who's left anyway?) don't like to wade into or even host discussions of a political nature...open topics like that DO keep people talking and that engagement spills out into the rest of the board. Let's look at what TT HAS going for it. It's a far more friendly spot for the creative element. People should probably be commenting more on new material or putting up new material of their own. (And yeah, I'm to blame for some of that, too. I really need to get on another creative streak.)

As much as we don't want to become another forum where the shit flings back and forth...we do need more avenues of expression. But here's where I think it could work here. On TT, it can be moderated evenly. With the social make-up of this site, there's no danger of the biggest creator of personal tension with free expression...

...favoritism. The staff here don't have a special clique of their own friends/partners/young girls they wanna fuck/said girls' whiteknights and all that crap. That is the one solitary thing that makes people hesitate to take part if they're not on that list. Here, we don't have it.

I think we could do well with a subforum for serious discussions of a political/religious/news-based nature. It just needs to be moderated with more attention. Hell, I'd even volunteer to keep an eye on it. I think the folks here could have serious discussions, get involved with each other's ideas and even disagree with civility. And yes, we're GOING to disagree. We're humans, we're always going to disagree on things like God vs. Science, Left vs. Right...but that's what we do. That's what makes us interesting. And so what if some topics get heated? As long as it's properly moderated, it can work.

And, that doesn't mean we have to have a subforum for every possible topic. We don't need a subforum for gamers, one for sports, one for silly shit. So much of that falls under GD and if people are comfortable having open or even sometimes heated discussions, I guarantee you'll see more activity in GD.

In closing, I think a lot of it is simply a matter of having a staff of moderators willing to be actively involved and willing to take the chance on opening some new avenues. Plus, the members need to speak out more...and those two go hand in hand.

 

[Oblivion]

I'll whine on the board from my pewter and gold inlaid, mahogany hot tub on my private island. The servants just don't have the PEP that they used to have. Something about firing half the staff and cutting the rests salaries so I could maintain my bottom line while continuing to be rich as hell.

Sargasm.

 

[dalekfire]

Eh, I'm not sure what it means that I find this thread a breath of fresh air. Saying that this place had gone stagnant may be a bit too harsh, but personally, I can feel what you all mean by how things have changed as of late. I find it hard trying to add anything to the active threads nowadays, and what I do add is usually overrun by the back-and-forth conversation which I personally think would be better located in PM or something. Even the outstanding personalities that energy seems drawn to lately have felt a bit...off-putting. It's one thing having a strong opinion or belief in something, and quite another alienating those who happen to disagree with it. Perhaps Mistress' idea of reopening forums for that kind of stuff is a good idea...

Still happy this place still exists, though. No qualms with that. 🙂

 

[Dr. Bill Kobb]

And you see the middle finger at the end of Rick's post? Kind of a dick move, but I'm glad he did it. If thats what he feels right now, he should be able to say it. And if that's his personality all the time, so be it [which I don't believe it is]. At least it's got some spice. Or should I be looking over my virtual shoulder at the loudspeaker on the wall waiting for the robotic "PLEASE DO NOT USE THE FUCK YOU SMILEY EMOTICON" instruction?

:lol Thanks for grasping my frustration. More than afew of the people who have piped in on this thread have otherwise offered damned little in the way of ANYTHING worthwhile in awhile(or ever, in some cases), and yet hop to it when it comes time to bash this little haven. `Tis to them the fickle finger of FU points.

I do take exception to the "bitter, insecure female" comment in your post, though. It's the many wonderful females who visit here that keep me coming back. Not as potential playmates, but just because 99% of the time, it's the bitter, insecure males who bring down sites with their lousy, pathetic attitudes. The majority of the females on board here keep things friendly and upbeat.

 

[juggernaut]

:lol Thanks for grasping my frustration. More than afew of the people who have piped in on this thread have otherwise offered damned little in the way of ANYTHING worthwhile in awhile(or ever, in some cases), and yet hop to it when it comes time to bash this little haven. `Tis to them the fickle finger of FU points.

I do take exception to the "bitter, insecure female" comment in your post, though. It's the many wonderful females who visit here that keep me coming back. Not as potential playmates, but just because 99% of the time, it's the bitter, insecure males who bring down sites with their lousy, pathetic attitudes. The majority of the females on board here keep things friendly and upbeat.

I kinda fall under that category, Rick. I don't offer anything often at all these days, but that's a direct result of the general temperature or my tenure here reminding me how it'll go. I'd probably be over a few thousand posts by now, but I've deleted pretty much everything at least three times over the years. Some people take me in the way I intend, some just flat out wish I'd disappear. Both are fine. But most of the stuff ends up being a contest to out-shout each other and it goes nowhere.

And I know there are a lot of great ladies here. I was really only referring to one with a chip on her shoulder who always had to grind it to a halt if someone mentioned ANYTHING about God. It could be 75 posts deep into a discussion and she'd remind everyone to leave Him out of it. Then it inevitably became a back and forth, short-lived "these are my rights" war. That's all. She's not a bad person, just always quick to pull down the thread. And that was a several years ago.

 

[QueenBeeBeeMari]

You could create a religion and politics forum but prepare for all hell to break loose because that kind of discussion always brings fighting.

A silly stuff forum sounds awesome.Maybe also a game forum so we can create little fun games.

Or maybe some just like to fight with each other and that can be put in an isolated forum area.

 

[FeatherDaemon1]

I was just thinking about the whole idea of the religion / politics sub-forum. Honestly, I have to go the other way on the idea of moderation for it. It should have less moderation than this forum. Let people jump into it guns blazing like all out PvP. As long as threats aren't being made of a criminal nature let all be fair. We're not all a bunch of wilting lillies here. If you choose to speak out on a political subject stand on your principals and jump right into the crucible. As for being offended it is a flippin' sub-forum! 😱

Enter at your own risk, caveat emptor, carpe diem and all that... And U.S. mid-term elections are on the way!! :lol

And I take personal responsibility for not contributing to the regular discussion forum more. I'm sorry that I let everyone down here. It's all my fault. :cry

 

[tickle_fan031]

I must admit I have noticed a decline. I used to be on here all the time about one or two years ago...can't remember for sure but university took over my life and I basically had to sacrifice my free time. But since coming back I've noticed that it is a little quieter. I have to agree with Nerrad, there was a time when you did get to know the people on here quite well, I guess the "Random Banter Threads" helped with that coz anyone would chip in and there seemed to be regulars that would participate in that thread- so there always seemed to be something going on.
I personally spend a lot of time on the likes of Facebook, but it is separate to my tickle world so to speak, so I never combine the two-so I have divide my time between the two. Maybe because Facebook is still relatively knew it is still quite appealing to a lot of people and find it easier to connect with other people, particularly those who are open about their fetishes- therefore why visit tickle formums when they can get what they want on Facebook-where you can get the best of both worlds.
I don't blame the mods for having to crack down on some things because the political correctness in this world is just going mad. Think it is hard to find a balance between the two (ie. something acceptable and something that isn't acceptable). But at the end of the day everyone is entitled to an opinion (well within reason, meaning to remain polite to other forum members etc) and if you don't like something someone has said then just ignore it.
I'm sure if we work together I'm sure we could get this place buzzing again.

 

[Oblivion]

It's almost like my idea snowballed into a good idea somehow. Tee-hee.

As for forum decline. I've lurked many years here, posting randomly, ect.

People, places, forums, interwebs; they all change and it's inevitable. If you don't like how it is now, maybe it'll be different tomorrow. Or in a month. Or two years.

In fact, there's a best selling book, that has big printed letters and is almost 100 pages long, that's all about change. It's called "Who Moved My Cheese" by Spencer Johnson. Know how long it's been a best seller? 10 years.