Asking
Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

My experience of this site thus far.

I must admit that I joined this site in the hope that it would be a similar experience, a worthy alternative, to the old EP site( experience project) RIP.

I do understand why EP had to die, it became so popular that it eventually became top heavy with drug pedelers and the site itself became an accessory to crime, as the equation: bad guys > moderators = shut down, proved in its reason to end.

But what i miss most is the true life stories i read about on there and the "grit" in those stories, its hard to define 'the grit' that im talking about.

It's like the type of raw uncensored honesty that you see in the scibblings of someone who has found solace in the anonimity of a site that lets them express themselves freely without fear of censorship or reprisal - for expressing the truth, im talking about Free Speech!

But 'grit' is more than just free speech its like the blue colour of steel that has been tempered by the heat of the fire(s)that forged the blade.

The stories i read where basically someone showing the world their "steel".

I want to experience reading that, here, i want to find those stories, and those people who are brave enough to express themselves to the world.

In these times, in world where AI and 'the metaverse' now exist - the beginnings of 'the matrix' - albeit a stone age version of 'the matrix' - AI lives on the internet and its a useful tool for moderating the content that real humans create and post on sites like this, yes, it exists now, but it didnt exist in its current form when EP was alive..

Which brings me to the reason for posting this, my question, i wonder dear reader, is this:

How much of the content we are reading here is real, and how much of it is editted and moderated by the big AI?

While i find 'the grit' again? Am looking in the right place? And even if i look in the gutters the dustbins and dark alleys of the web, while i find the real dirt of peoples lives and experiences, posted for all to see? Or am i only seeing what a sanitised, censored and muzzled version, has the AI maid 'cleaned' these spaces for our deemed benefit and the delight of that maids' master?

Reader please help me find that grit im looking for.

i hope to find it on this site, unless everyone is holding back their grit for memoirs and a lucrative publishing deal one day, holding onto it and giving us a watered down version of their life experiences here on SW, scared that they will lose their most valuable insights if they publish it.

Thanks for reading.
This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
We're in a more acrimonious social period

The heart of the EP groups was "I live in a sexless marriage" which reflected its origins as a social support network
blackarcher256 · 61-69, M
@Activitykittens That was exactly how I found my way to EP. I was in a sexless marriage, devoid of any warmth or physical contact. I found EP by accident while seeking to understand and find ways to cope with the situation I found myself in. I stayed on EP because it gave me an outlet… a way out of the isolation of my married life….and a connection to people who understood what I was going through. But it became much more than that. So while it may simply be nostalgic, I miss EP an in all likelihood won’t remain on SW much longer.
@blackarcher256 Did you get free? I am curious. Many did thankfully.
@Activitykittens It was the largest forum yet EP was much more than that. It was a site where everyone was welcome. It had its glory days. Nothing will ever come close to it ever again. It lives in memories. I still have most of my inner circle from there. The finest, most caring, creative, loving people from all over the world. My chosen family. Only a couple new ones from SW. There are no others here.
blackarcher256 · 61-69, M
@PoetryNEmotion I did….finally. I’d like to say I’m happier now, and I’m sure one day I will be. But the end was very very ugly, and my freedom came at a very high price both financially and emotionally.
@blackarcher256 It matters not for those. Men always mention the money part. Freedom sings. The ability to no longer live with a miserable refuser! To have the ability to make a brand new life! Congratulations on getti g free. It gets harder the older one gets in many ways. I only regret I did not leave decades ago instead of 12 years. It will improve. Give yourself time. You are free, man!
blackarcher256 · 61-69, M
@PoetryNEmotion You’re right, freedom sings. I have the same regret about the timing…I should have left more than a decade ago, when we became little more than housemates that barely spoke. I told myself I was doing it for my kids and grandkids, but looking back it was nothing more than fear, wounded pride, and stupidity. But I’m free, free, free….thank you for reminding me….and thanks for the glimpse of the other side, that things will improve.
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
blackarcher256 · 61-69, M
@PoetryNEmotion Laugh…not quite the courageous lion….more like the tattered, but defiant, old alley cat. But thanks for that. It was great talking to you. Wishing you good health and happiness. Enjoy your day.
@blackarcher256 You are an old lion, but nevertheless still a lion. Same here on a nice chat. Rockin' it! Bye.
blackarcher256 · 61-69, M
@PoetryNEmotion Still laughing….I like my imagery better, but we’ll go with yours. Bye.
@blackarcher256 Oh, I have this image of you. Toothy. Smiling. A bit weary. Maybe bedraggled even. But noble. So noble. And experienced. Am I right? LOL. Catch you later, lion. Laugh more! It suits you! :)