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 Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 9:39 am
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(Warning, wall of text, but I felt it was better just to get it all out).
It's time we be frank about a problem that I think many of us may be having. Guild activity has plummeted, and as a moderator, my interest is waning. However, I don't think the fault is with the guild. 21+ Guilds have taken a huge hit over the last couple years. There are a few happy and healthy 21+ Guilds, but several of them have dwindled away. I had joined one briefly that had 1000+ members and little-to-no posting, and several of the members of this guild are/have also been members of another 21+ guild that just sort of stopped.
Over the past year and a half we've tried to jump start the guild with activities- which is always a good idea. A community thrives when infused with fun, interaction, etc. However, most of our activities have garnered brief attention followed by a return to low activity.
When I search my feelings I find that I don't feel the same zest I used to. I don't want to kill the guild- I think we have a wonderful group here and a lot of great people, great friends. I'd considered grooming a successor and stepping down as head moderator- my own hectic schedule hasn't exactly facilitated the amount of care and attention this guild deserves.
But when I think about it, my problem doesn't stem from a lack of interest in the guild. I still want to know what everyone is up to, how people are fairing. What I am losing interest in is perhaps Gaia itself.
As I logged in today and I saw an announcement on the latest "freebie" for a cash card purchase I couldn't help but think "yeah, spend $25-$50 on virtual items and get a free virtual item... that's smart".
Maybe I'm set in my ways, but I miss the older Gaia- the gaia where $2.50 got you the monthly cool item and made you feel like you were supporting the site. You know, when you used to try to keep up with all the neat things avatars could wear, it was like Pokemon- gotta catch 'em all.
I'm not saying Gaia hasn't added some nifty features since then, but I feel like the age rift between myself and many of the members is getting steeper. Talk in the forums? Why bother, what kind of conversation could I have with some twelve year old kid? I feel my interest has waned, it's like a loveless marriage. I log in because of the habit and some co-dependent need to check in on Gaia- but it's not really my online escape anymore.
So what I'd like to know, for those of you who have just braved a mountain of text, is how you feel about Gaia, are you burned out? I've been thinking for a long time it would be sweet if we had a branch off of Gaia that was more geared toward people in our age group. Still fun, still geeky, but less bombardment of commercialism and more options for the grown-up mind.
As for the Guild, I know I said we'd always be Gaia-based, but would people feel an ease to jump-start activity if we had another venue? I realize our facebook chapter has been horrendously neglected (sorry) but with the right investment it could lead to something.
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Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 8:56 pm
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Man-Hungry Conversationalist
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 6:22 pm
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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 7:28 am
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Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2010 3:27 am
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Reply
