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Experience Project Blues

This post has received a Note or Correction by the SimilarWorlds staff.

Staff Note:
We understand, and can agree with your sentiment.

Experience Project displayed only (or mostly) content from Groups / Interests the user joined, in its main feed, which caused it to be a more relevant and useful community, for finding others with similar interests and experiences.

It is our wish to provide such an experience on SimilarWorlds as well, however, we receive tremendous amounts of backlash and complaints, unceasingly, for not displaying "More / All posts" made by any and every user of this site.
Basically, many here seem to demand a more Random, Irrelevant feed (at least the more vocal users).

This is non-ideal in our view, as it only perpetuates discontent by most users in the end, being often shown content that is non-interesting, non-relevant, and even offensive or inappropriate (from their perspective).

We suggest that you considering trying out the "Customize Feed" preset of "Most Relevant", to see if the feed's results and sorting become more preferable to you.
Otherwise, you can experiment with different Customize Feed settings, to tailor the content being delivered to your feed.

When I was on EP, I felt as though I was constantly surrounded by people who have had either interesting experiences or looking for similar experiences.

99% of what I have seen here makes me think that the users absolutely aren’t in a similar world to me. What on earth is going on? I’ve been blocking and muting way too much for my… what? Third day here?

😂

Top | Newest First | Oldest First

revenant · F

It is not EP. It is a totally different crowd here. I remember EP as being more mature, funny, lots of interactions between members. It was a blast.

But EP is gone now.

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DisappearingTide · 31-35, M

@bookerdana 😵‍💫

revenant · F

@bookerdana depends on which colour you choose to look at things🙂

bookerdana · M

@revenant When you trade the joie to vivre of thhe Tri-colore for the until recently UK Great White North ...fuggitabout it 🙉

ServantOfTheGoddess · 61-69, M

This comment has received a Note or Correction by the SimilarWorlds staff.

1) We understand and agree with the OP's sentiment (updated the note to better reflect this).

Our note doesn't contradict the OP's views, it simply explains the reason why content in SW's feeds are the way they are, at this time (by default, little relevance/similar interests).

2) Most users tend to interpret SW Staff's actions and intentions from a negative point of view (similar to this, and other comments), so there is little benefit in constantly attempting to have direct dialog with users (which we have courteously tried to do for the past 6 years).
We eventually came to understand why most companies/platforms avoid the same.

3) There were hundreds of thousands of groups imported from EP, most of which were redundant/duplicated topics. This fragmented mutual interests, and the concept serving content based on group interests would be meaningless.

It wasn't feasible to allow the creation of additional new groups, before we consolidated the excess abundance of old ones, which we eventually did.
We have explained this already, numerous times.

Similarly related Forums and User-created Groups now have associations between them, which helps to connect interests/relevance, so that we can serve content that may be interesting to users, even if they haven't subscribed to that particular group.

4) We don't have any opposition to having Closed Groups, however, we are unsure of the demand for this feature at this time, and it unlikely solves the most common complaint, about their not being enough new posts in feeds.
If anything, it likely makes this situation worse, with more users spending their posting and commenting activities in private, which leads other users to complain further about the site being "dead" or slow.

5) We are constantly tackling new and past development requests by users, and have so far accomplished the majority of feature requests that have been made over the past 6 years. Yet with each new release/completion of past requests, we continue to get the same amount, if not more, complaints from users, that we are doing nothing for the site.

(Some features like "SW Games" we still have planned, but are immensely large projects, with new game development staff involved).

Replying to the "edit" from SW staff:

First of all, SW staff, if you have a comment, put it as a comment; don't invade someone's post like this!

On the substance of the comment: I appreciate your efforts but this is a little self-serving and takes the approach of "blaming the customer." The groups on EP were meaningful, at least to the people who set them up. SW early on removed the capacity to create groups, and has changed the way we post so that you cannot simply post in a group anymore. As a result the remnant of the "groups" system is practically meaningless now. So how is one supposed to connect with likeminded people or those who share similar experiences? Only by looking at all the posts, randomly, and finding the right people by chance.

I've suggested before that there should be "closed" groups like on Facebook, which a person would have to ask to join. That would give joining the group some meaning and bring together people who really care about whatever the purpose of the group is. I understand that this may be technically complicated, but SW has added various bells and whistles; why not put the effort into this?

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RedBaron · M

@ServantOfTheGoddess Mine most certainly aren’t.

bookerdana · M

@helenS same

SW-User

@helenS Do you remember all the complaining about EP when there was an EP? I don't think we would ever be satisfied regardless of how closely or not we got to EP.

PhilDeep · 51-55, M

Experience project started off as a supportive place for people to connect with empathy then started being abused by fetishists and perverts in my opinion. Then when SW was built they all came here. This place never had that original EP feel to it. A competitor called Relate2That started off very similar to the old style EP but had hardly any users and shut down before long.

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val70 · 51-55

@PhilDeep There's a lenght of a page of people on your posting here that are blocking me. And why is that? Because they don't think that I'm a person? I knew the whole history of EP. I was never blocked there. I see many of my friends from EP. They don't block me. Why are there so many on here who can't even ask the simple question what I'm like. I even posted on here why my reactions are indeed differently touchy feely to theirs. I was raised by my grandparents and they survived two world wars, etc., etc. I mean these people think even that they are of the left. They don't even know what hardship is these days. They call me a fascist and a bigot because I say to them that they can't abuse the past nor judge people from the past just like they do now. We have travelled a very long way, but somehow they have forgotten that and would spit on my grandparents. So I argue against that and get blocked. I don't even curse nor hunt in packs. It's all going on in here too often indeed

PhilDeep · 51-55, M

@val70 I see a lot of thought goes into your posts. Much more than many readers would give them. Much more than many in this community might be capable of handling. Maybe a blog of your own might suit you well, though?

val70 · 51-55

@PhilDeep Not really have the time for a proper blog. Thinking for a career change et al. But thanks for the kind compliment and suggestion

bijouxbroussard · F

I was on EP for seven years, and it’s been seven years ago now that it closed. SW is a smaller site, and of course it’s not going to be exactly like any other. I can’t help but wonder if people who still long for EP aren’t at least partially romanticizing the memory of it—it definitely had flaws, too.

bookerdana · M

@bijouxbroussard No place is without flaws but I am not "romanticizing when I say I am still in touch with many of my old EP friends because of the nature of the site;while here they use algorithms to prevent us from seeing many posts and VIP is a must..super VIP 50,000 blocks..a must

originnone · 61-69, M

@bijouxbroussard to me the biggest flaw was by far the predators.

bijouxbroussard · F

@bookerdana I’m not meaning that I didn’t love EP, I remained until it closed, after all, and I too found some wonderful friends, including you. But EP has been closed for a long time now, and overall I’m happy to have SW, which is why I’m still here. 😊

DisappearingTide · 31-35, M

This post got wayyyyy more attention than I was expecting 😂😂😂😂😂.

To the admins who put the note/correction. Thank you for taking the time to respond. I understand that you can’t please everyone. I did t mean for the bashing that SW seems to have gotten in the comments. I am happy that there is a place simply attempting to recreate the experience that many of us had on EP, and give that opportunity to new people.

To the people bashing EP, I get it, I understand you. My post was an ode to days gone by that now fill me with nostalgia. But i’m not here to be salty that this place isn’t what EP was. I stand by my original post, but I’ve also met a couple of really great people on here in under a week. So for that I am thankful.

Starcrossed · 41-45, F

Yeah this is a different animal than EP. Politics really drove people away in the past 4ish years. There isn't the same member base and it's a little harder to find community and fellowship here.

thatbuggerpaul · 100+, M

If you were hoping for another EP you will be disappointed as SW is a pale imitation. I notice lots of comments about the bad side of EP but very few of the positives which is a shame as especially in its early days it was a great place to hang out ,yes it did towards the end attract some less desirable elements but I will always have fond memories of it . I even met my girlfriend on there and we are still going strong after 11 years .

ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M

Not sure, but I THINK SW is much SMALLER than EP was, so the wide variety of people participating doesn't really exist here. On EP you might get dozen of people interested in something, here you might find two. Kind of limits discussions.

DisappearingTide · 31-35, M

@ChipmunkErnie I understand this in concept. It is a shame though. EP have a lot of people a… place to belong so to speak

val70 · 51-55

@ChipmunkErnie Ernie, it's really not like EP. Isn't it? :-)

AdaXI · 41-45, T

Yeah but you go back a decade or so that was the golden age of Q&A and blog type sites, people were still using computers and laptops banging out 80 words a minute, lolz!
[center][image][/center]
Over the last decade people have moved to using smartphones and these sites totally fell outta fashion most of them closed down so this site is more watered down and generic as it's just mopping up what's left of that market.

I just mean if EP still existed today it would probably be suffering the exact same issues this place suffers now and back in the day 'the golden era' there was probably 10 or more sites like this that were all in there own way equally just as good as EP but now there is just this place left and the number of people wanting to use sites like this has dropped off considerably.
乂º◡º乂

Pinkstarburst

Bad form SW admins

Nelisme · 22-25, F

I was not on EP, but keep hearing about it. I’m 23 now so probably to young to have enjoyed it anyway. I wonder what caused it’s demise?

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Nelisme · 22-25, F

@DisappearingTide Haven’t found that yet, but I’m looking :)

DisappearingTide · 31-35, M

@Nelisme you will

bookerdana · M

@Pretzel BINGO they had to release all the PMs between the two people.They never officially told us this but it was googleable

Jayciedubb · 56-60, M

You may be romanticizing a little bit. I liked EP a lot but near the end there were a lot of trolls and there were a lot of catfish, most of whom became suspect when they finally added video chatting.

..but, i know what you mean. .. and as good as EP was, can you imagine how much better it would have been if they could have consolidated all the similar groups. It was funny , it was like people would start their own group without looking to see if there was one already started thus splintering and isolating people who should have been uniting.

helenS · 36-40, F

I would like to suggest that you do not compare; instead, discover the possibilities, because this is this and here is here.

val70 · 51-55

@helenS And try to alter what there is truly wrong too, I hope

val70 · 51-55

I must say that there's mentioning of blocking and muting already. The last I prefer to do but less and less. I've been muted in a corner at times. On EP one got a person coming up to you and asking what there was wrong. On here they try to burry you and silence you. It takes the biscuit that there's a posting on here by someone who blocked me and is saying that we are romantizing EP. She's the one that's been blocking me because she can't stand gay priests. And that's only one concrete example of what we all feel. These people who block without any true solid reason are almost the same in the cultural war going in America. Less so in Europe without the UK. In that last country there are even professors on twitter who have alt accounts. One says something contrary to their argument and off they go in argument at their alt account. If you have something to say then don't be a coward and defend yourself. Many of them wouldn't have survived this sort of misery that they offer the intellectual discussion in the past and in some cases, I guess, I would have had challenges to a duel too. Such uncivilised lot they are

MellyMel22 · F

[i][c=BF0080]You may just need some more time. It’s still early for you! [/c][/i]

DisappearingTide · 31-35, M

@MellyMel22 i’m willing to give it the ole college try and see what comes of it.

MellyMel22 · F

@DisappearingTide [i][c=BF0080]Well good! [/c][/i]

bookerdana · M

It's true...circles aren't as tight because while you CAN write an "experience,as opposed to a post just doesn't make it here;its ignored.Besides its like asking a philosopher to do speed dating or a long term trucker to do "door dash.".WE asked them for BLOGS but they couldn't be bothered😤

revenant · F

@bookerdana Interesting. Do you think it is tied to phones and text messages ?

bookerdana · M

@revenant Cell phones for sure;people log in ,post and come back later to see responses. I'm not sure how texts have an effect except its a short form message

revenant · F

@bookerdana Effect on the brain. I myself see that I am giving shorter and shorter sentences lol. Everything has to be quick and succint.

KittenSmitten0 · 26-30, F

If you think this site is anything like EP... RUN. 😂 It's not sadly.

DrWatson · 70-79, M

While there certainly was sexual content on EP, the tone here is completely different.

For example, on EP I saw plenty of healthy nonsexual interactions between adults and minors. Here, adults are creatures that minors need to be sheltered from.

I scroll past lots of posts on the feed here. Or, I go to forums I have joined and read each of them separately .

Magenta · F

Indeed. So very much relatable. Ugh. Whole different vibe and crowd. I've changed a bit too though and rarely write or share with the masses now. It's not a place conducive to writing and sharing much of anything with substance or meaning.
I can't find anything else that fits me, yet.

DisappearingTide · 31-35, M

@Magenta that’s something i’m wondering, is it just that I’ve changed enough that I view things differently

Pinkstarburst

Social media is more prevalent now than it was when EP was around. The world is different too. Also, EP was different; but, it was not without its share of interesting and strangeness.

I wouldn’t take the name of the site at face value until you actually meet some folks you connect with.

Pretzel · 61-69, M

a lot of the regulars from EP left.
sometimes they return..sometimes not.

then we got refuges from a couple of different sites that have closed down.

it's a different mix for sure.

stil, it's the best site that I have found so far.

DisappearingTide · 31-35, M

@Pretzel
That’s a pretty good explanation to what I’ve seen so farts let’s see how it goes

BrewCityBarfly · M

Might take a little longer than 3 days to find your niche. Once you establish some people to follow, friends, etc, adjust your feed, then you'll find things a little more coinciding with your interests.

DisappearingTide · 31-35, M

@BrewCityBarfly I don’t disagree with this and I’ll give it the old college try lol.

akindheart · 61-69, F

it is definitely a different vibe on here. maybe I am the one that changed and the BS, liars and drama are getting to be too much.

ServantOfTheGoddess · 61-69, M

A lot of the same people are here so I really wonder what makes it feel so different for you :(

This comment is hidden. Show Comment

Crazywaterspring · 61-69, M

EP was mainly supportive and more civilized. This site is filled with trolls and perverts.

4meAndyou · F

Whining about something you can't change is NOT helpful for anyone. Just makes your posts tiresome.

poshnaturist · 51-55, M

Loved EP back in the day. So much more interaction with other users back then

Lilymoon · F

Yep yep yep but don't let it scare ya off just weed them all out 🤭

DisappearingTide · 31-35, M

@Lilymoon that’s what I plan on doing for sure. Already meet some pretty neat people

LoneVoice

You could be yourself on EP. Have your own opinions and voice them. Not here.

ExtremeNext · 31-35

I was on EP
Let's be friends

DisappearingTide · 31-35, M

@ExtremeNext let’s do it

Nimbus · M

What's EP ?

originnone · 61-69, M

@Nimbus not a clue

Nimbus · M

@originnone ;)

GLITTER · 36-40, F

What do you like to do ?

DisappearingTide · 31-35, M

@GLITTER a wide variety of things but back then I did photography challenges with friends, themed either daily or weekly, I shared my life and experiences and learned who I wanted to be and not be. I found love, loss, and people to share those things with.

In terms of right now, it seems time has made me boring 😅, but I still to like photography, and making new friends. I just don’t know how to be as social as I was back then for prolonged periods of time I suppose.

ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M

I block the bigots, rightwingers, and generally rude.

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DisappearingTide · 31-35, M

@ChipmunkErnie oh you won’t ever see it. I believe those things are better left for spoken word rather than text where tone and context can be misconstrued.

Prime example is that, while I completely understand what you mean, your words are fairly bigoted and rude if taken at face value, with no tone and no context.

No judgement here since, like I said. I fully understand what you mean. You block inflammatory people who should from the mountaintop and can’t participate in civilized conversation, which is the right way to go about things.