EP was unique, but things have changed. There is a severe lack of integrity and an over-radicalization of the world now.

EP was uncensored until the last year or two. As such, there was plenty of *cough* content to allow for *cough* release. Yeah, that should be subtle enough.

So, while, as a female on EP, I recieved the occasional unwelcome message and sometimes needed to block men, it was not that common.

The men here are awful. Words aren't enough to describe how vile they are. So, for the very, very few good ones here, it takes a lot to trust enough to give them a chance.

I make no judgment on you as an individual. But were you to try to interact with me privately in any way, my lack of response would be the product of the literal hundreds of men here that have come before you. I've use all 500 of my blocks. I unblock the oldest block and hope they aren't around any more every time I need to block a new person.

This makes me less likely to engage any men on here even in the comments. Show any kindness, any willingness to communicate, and the most likely result is a guy that stalks all your future content. That will jump in on a back and forth set of comments between friends. That will leave innuendos. That will leave whiteboard posts and gifts with creepy messages.

I'm not describing the select few bad guys. This is the norm.

Sorry for the rant, but you asked.

mhm

I remember posting experiences in EP that none ever read or I would get one comment or two, not necessarily including empathy.

then I remember this happening here too.

Then I remember being held whilst going through some rough stuff on EP and here, likewise.

I'm having a mixed experience, not what you describe..

I got picked on Ep all the time, especially by the resident bulley.
I think we were more connected there that's what I miss about it.
And yes there are some mean people on here ,but I haven't come across as many as I did on EP especially at the end.

I wonder if this is a reflection of the way the world currently is. I'm not trying to say this is right because honestly it is upsetting. But I feel like a lot of people are self indulgent selfish and generally just miserable. And as the saying goes hurt people hurt people.

I can only hope that you meet enough people that you can communicate with so you can either mute or block those that harass you.

I was on another site when the 2016 election happened. The “news” section of that place just basically killed the lighthearted fun. But even that place had its share of negativity and bullying.

I think the internet in general has become a more toxic place, especially when the algorithmically curated sites like FB, TikTok, and Twitter just feed more about what you like and create even more divisiveness.

I think empathy and coolness are still around, but the tribalism part, where my side is better than yours, is just more magnified now.

It’s sad.

I agree with you, I have been through a divorce and I know how difficult those times are, I am an EP refugee too, and I think the people of the world just grew more callous and self-centered Honestly speaking.

I think the internet as a whole was a more light hearted place in general 11 years ago.

This… I went to EP to get answers on certain questions. Luckily people had posted their experiences. Without fear of the judgement. It’s no so much here.

Some people just like to lob Molotov cocktails into someone's desolate world.

The fact that we are officially a country which sides with authoritarians is disturbing, esp. in the cutting off of our humanitarian efforts, which were a small price to pay for being omce so rich in wealth and caring.

The chasing of nonsense and lies has brought us to our knees. Only giving these up can help right us, if it ever happens in my lifetime.

Good rant!! I was on both, noticed the difference as well....I miss EP

I miss ep. It was special but my friends on SW mean the world to me.

I don't think EP was kind at all. It was probably worse or maybe I've just been blocked by all the right people on here

Unfortunately times have changed and people are no longer empathetic.

I didn't go on Experience Project. I only really have time for SW. Facebook can be nasty but Twitter is a species apart. Even sewer rats avoid it. I' ve had some nasty experiences here, too. I reported two vicious trolls after they made threats. I have removed any personal info about myself to stop any other scumarse doing the same.

previously in direct communication acts of semantic conversational empathy were validated through parallel audiovisual communication channels (voice intonation/facial expressions/gestures etc)

when communicating on the web in text format people retained the habit of having their semantics validated by their interlocutor for some time

gradually this habit atrophied

this led to a loss of trust in the emotional semantic component of text messages

now this is the norm

ps

mechanism

when communicating via text people no longer need to activate their audiovisual channels to demonstrate emotions

this is self-stimulation

in other words their psyche is less stimulated than during direct communication

this reduces the overall emotional response to a stimulus which is expressed in the degree of emotionality of the text message

I think you’re being overly nostalgic here EP was brutal!

The overall level of reasoning here seems to be on the lower side. Many people seem to be more driven by emotion and impulse rather than rational thought.

I miss ep too

I think people has a whole have just become more desensitized and less kind.

Good rant

It isnt the EP was so different. The mood of the times has changes. The world is a colder, darker, crueler place now..😷

The villains from EP turned around to become babyfaces on SW.
And the good people from EP have found better places to spend their time.

If you're looking for two-faced liars with fake empathy and false compassion who'll be sweet to you for internet points, this is the place to be.