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I Am Leaving

I have had some interesting discussions here but I feel like this is a shadow of what it tries to replace.

I cannot find that sense of community that EP had... to be truthful I've not found it in any of the substitutes either.

However this place seems to be growing into less of a community and more a collection of individuals. It's not home. I can't find comfort here.

PErhaps it's because communication wtih the powers that be is even more limited than in EP, but I suspect it's more a combination of change, both personal and communal.

I'd like to thank the people who put this together. I'm absolutely certain they worked really hard with great intent, but somehow this just isn't what I need right now.

So I wish you all well, and hope for you everything that you hope for yourself (unless it involves harm for others.)

Best of

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Serenitree · F

Well, I'm sorry to hear that you're giving up on a project still in the process of being created.

EP had a different dynamic because it was 10 years old and had about 1,500,000 members. It was a thriving site with many members who didn't walk away from it when it was still in its infancy. SW has fewer than 20,000 members. It can't possibly be what EP was with a million and a half members. But they're working on it.

EP died because the admin lost interest and stopped taking a personal and immediate role in running it. They started taking away what made it great so they could ad an app because apps are more profitable. The members were of no importance to them. In the end, it was a slum. What started out as a warm, supportive community was taken over by bullies and foul mouthed trolls.

I hope you find what you're looking for, but if you're looking for another EP, you are bound to be disappointed. There is no other like EP. Just as each child we have is unique, so is each website unique. There are no cookie cutters for creating identical websites.

Riffster · 61-69, M

What I wanted from here (or anywhere, which is why I enjoyed EP) is a sympathetic ear, a chance to discuss how I feel, in safety, a chance to share my experiences with others who have similar related issues, and to commune with people who either understand, don't judge, or at least *get* it.

A place where I can open my heart in safety, fearlessly.

That's not happening here. That's my disappointment.

No, I'm not looking for another EP. I'm looking for understanding and a place to express myself in safety.

Serenitree · F

I feel there are a lot of people who could and would be happy to offer the understanding and support you need. Yes,,there were very likely more at EP. EP had one hundred times the membership. Give us a chance. There are so many really decent caring members here. Even though our membership is a mere one percent what EP had and has only been around for four months, compared to EP's ten years. There are people who care. I know,,because I've met a bunch of them.

Riffster · 61-69, M

@Serenitree: I get the sense you're either a developer or at least close to them. Am I correct?

Serenitree · F

@Riffster: nope. Just an ex EP member who is hoping this place won't fall on its face too. I'm 72 years old and I don't adjust to change well. When EP crashed, I was devastated,,even though in the last year or so, I was more disgusted by the changes I saw, than pleased,,I felt lost. It was like when I quit smoking. Headaches, crying, mood swings like you wouldn't believe. Literally, I was sick. I hopped from one place to another trying to find a soft landing place that wasn't too complex for me to learn. (I came to computers very late in my life.....I was 66 years old before I ever tried to use the Internet. Before that I used a computer as nothing more than a glorified typewriter.)

I am one of those slow learners. I tried Tumblr and couldn't stand the perpetual motion of the gifs. Tried vent and couldn't even find my way off the log in page. Tried dozens more and found nothing but frustration and headaches. So I thought when I got the notification that a brand new site was opened, I might be able to find my way around.

There have been so many people who've come here saying this isn't as good as EP. My kind words to them, have always been, "I never stick around where I have nothing in common with the riffraff around me, so if I felt as you do, I'd leave." They usually don't leave, but they do block me. For some reason, I just don't get the same feel from you. You don't come across as whiny or mean spirited. You do come across as a disappointed person who hasn't found what he needs, yet, I checked your profile and I'm not seeing any interaction except today's. I fee.l you aren't giving us any chance. By us, I mean the members, not the developers. I want this site to flourish, but not because I have a vested interest, jus because I need it. So far, I'm playing it by ear. It is certainly no EP, I haven't felt like sharing as many stories or poems as I did there. I had nearly 2000 posts on EP. But I'm not ready to give up. I've made a few friends here. I hope to make a few more. I hope to get as comfortable as I was on EP before they gave up on us and let the trolls take over.

All that being said, I hope you won't go,,but if you do, I hope you find soft landings. A safe place and supportive people.

Riffster · 61-69, M

@Serenitree: Thanks for this.

Clearly there are technical issues at work here - the site's obviously borked. I am pretty sure I've written more stuff than the three items I can see, and I've definitely responded to others, asked questions and the like.

I appreciate that the devs here are trying to build a community but I'm afraid I don't have the energy to devote to a site that's "getting there." I'm sorry if that sounds selfish, but I do appreciate your words.

Thanks, sincerely, for your input

Serenitree · F

@Riffster: well, I still wish you soft landings. Be well. If you find a place you can stay, let me know, please. I'd like to pop in and see how you're doing.