How Has GMG Changed Through The Years? Or Has It?

[Cato]

For a good number of months I have been thinking that GMG has changed in various ways throughout the years.

Of course, this is to be expected as new people arrive, old ones leave (and come back!), interests change, etc.

One thing which has struck me is that the "What Are You Listening To?" topic is bigger than ever (or so it seem sit to me).  It was always popular, but at times it seems for that hours it is the only topic being hit.

With the (self-imposed?) exile of characters e.g. Robert Newman, there seem to be fewer arguments/debates, friendly or otherwise.  Aesthetics debates on Music or Art in general - perhaps because there were so many in the early 2000's - seem to have faded.

Other things have struck me as well, but enough of me: what have you noticed?  Or are my impressions off-base?

[Szykneij]

I think things are much more civil now than at any time in the past. It also seems that the beginners section has gradually become less active.

[North Star]

Great topic idea, Cato!
Since I've been here only for a little over a year, I can't say too much about the evolution of the forum.

Some possible reasons for the popularity of the "WAYLT" thread:
a) one doesn't need to think about posting there too much - it should be easy enough to write composer/piece/performer, and maybe place the ASIN/pic there, too - and a single post may create numerous replies.
b) compared to the more specialized topics, one can post more easily there without feeling awkward about not knowing something.
c) it's always hot, unlike, say, composer topics (apart from Brian  )

[Cato]

Great topic idea, Cato!
Since I've been here only for a little over a year, I can't say too much about the evolution of the forum.

...more specialized topics, one can post more easily there without feeling awkward about not knowing something.

c) it's always hot, unlike, say, composer topics (apart from Brian  )

Aye, the Brian groupies are something else!  And that in fact was one of the other things I had thought of, the number of lesser known composers - but not necessarily less worthy in many cases - edging out the greats at times in discussions: sharing pages 1 and 2 of Composer Discussion right now are e.g. Popov, Tveitt, Novak, Alfven, Heller, C.P.E. Bach, and yes, Brian.   

[mahler10th]

Yes Leo, it seems different significantly to me too.  Good old Classical punch-ups are waning.  It is not as 'interactive' as it was when I joined (2008) - ie: it seems there was much more four and five way (etc) conversations going on at once, often crossing over, often resulting in triumph and tragedy in the annals of Classical Music discussion.  Now it has SOMETIMES become like talking to the keyboard instead of crusading or disagreeing on any particular thing.  The addition of icons to public identity websites put me off in a very big way - from time to time (perhaps just twice) I have subscribed as a Silver Subscriber, but those icons make GMGs cosyness and privacy non-existent, and so I lost some faith in its very raison d'etre.   It used to feel like of a lot of international, talkative people in a happy debating hall,  but these invasive icons make it feel more like a lot of the same friendly people all alone in orbiting sattelites.  So I would not subscribe to 'like' buttons.
Things like the Blind Listening tests and reviews of works in the WAYLT thread, comparisions and historical data in other threads keep me here when I'm here these days.
Harrumph!
Meanwhile I personally am guilty of huge and inexplicable absences in my four years here, so it's not like I've been the most interactive person myself.  So just ignore all this.   

[North Star]

The addition of icons to public identity websites put me off in a very big way - from time to time (perhaps just twice) I have subscribed as a Silver Subscriber, but those icons make GMGs cosyness and privacy non-existent, and so I lost some faith in its very raison d'etre.   It used to feel like of a lot of international, talkative people in a happy debating hall,  but these invasive icons make it feel more like a lot of the same friendly people all alone in orbiting sattelites.  So I would not subscribe to 'like' buttons.
Things like the Blind Listening tests and reviews of works in the WAYLT thread, comparisions and historical data in other threads keep me here when I'm here these days.
Harrumph!
Meanwhile I personally am guilty of huge and inexplicable absences in my four years here, so it's not like I've been the most interactive person myself.  So just ignore all this.   

I can't say that the social media icons have affected me at all. Would you care to explain how exactly do they put you off, John?

[mahler10th]

I can't say that the social media icons have affected me at all. Would you care to explain how exactly do they put you off, John?

I am old fashioned.   

[North Star]

I am old fashioned.   

Ah, I see.   
I guess I am, too, but I just don't pay any attention to the icons.

[Todd]

there seem to be fewer arguments/debates, friendly or otherwise.

I agree with this, and I must note that the same appears to the be true on other long-standing forums I visit.  A bit of a shame really.

[Sammy]

Just two things I've noticed.  One is that the percentage of active members who go for large boxsets has increased a lot.  Second, controversial "diner" topics have decreased, likely due to most of them being shut down by the moderators.

[Cato]

I agree with this, and I must note that the same appears to the be true on other long-standing forums I visit.  A bit of a shame really.

Possible topics to stimulate debate:

Resolved: Beethoven's Tenth Symphony = Wagner's Rienzi Overture   

Sergei Rachmaninov: Threat or Menace? 

The Cuckolds of Modern Music: Jay Greenberg and Hans Zimmer   0:)

[ibanezmonster]

It's a bit more pleasant now, though not as exciting as before. However, I prefer pleasant.
We pretty much got rid of the retards and ignorant jerks, and now we're left with a bunch of cool people. I'd consider that a positive change. Besides that, it hasn't changed much, which is perfectly fine.

Also, nice to have newer members such as John, snyprrr, Daniel, etc. The only negative change is certain people not posting here any more.

[Que]

[...] Second, controversial "diner" topics have decreased, likely due to most of them being shut down by the moderators.

I don't know if that's a major factor. I checked, and that actually happened only once this year (with this thread).

I think it's simply because we are less frequented by utter morons these days. And nobody has started yet another thread about the point of religion for a while now...

And while we're on the topic of moderating: things have been eerily quiet for a long, long time now. So just in case anyone cherises the theory that the "liveliness" has been moderated out of this forum: nonsense - the number of invasive moderating acts has gone down considerably over time.

Q

[The new erato]

I don't know if that's a major factor. I checked, and that actually happened only once this year (with this thread).

I think it's simply because we are less frequented by utter morons these days. And nobody has started yet another thread about the point of religion for a while now...

And while we're on the topic of moderating: things have been eerily quiet for a long, long time now. So just in case anyone cherises the theory that the "liveliness" has been moderated out of this forum: nonsense - the number of invasive moderating acts has gone down considerably over time.

Q

It's become so easy for morons to start their own blogs so they do that so they don't have to put up with crap from sane people on public boards. Not to say that all who are left are morons, but I also think that media like this have matured to the degree that many consider whether they actually have anyting new and valuable to offer. 

[Ataraxia]

It's less exciting than in days of old but maybe that's a good thing.

Sometimes it's a bit bland when all you see are album covers everywhere.

[Sergeant Rock]

Sometimes it's a bit bland when all you see are album covers everywhere.

I like pretty pictures   

The biggest change for me personally is that I get less indigestion now that a few controversial members have departed, or been booted.

Sarge

[Que]

It's less exciting than in days of old but maybe that's a good thing.

Sometimes it's a bit bland when all you see are album covers everywhere.

Personally, I'dlike to do more elaborate posts. But the time for that seems constantly lacking...

Most of the time, a brief fly-over and posting some short posts is all I can manage. A pity really - but fortunately I have a real life as well!

Q

[Ataraxia]

Most of the time, a brief fly-over and posting some short posts is all I can manage. A pity really - but fortunately I have a real life as well!

I hear that, Mr. Q.

[The Raven]

there seem to be fewer arguments/debates, friendly or otherwise. 

That might be because most of the regular posters with thousands of posts here seems to be only cd enthusiasts at most but are reacting like they were musicologists. Throwing a few adjectives here and a few adjectives there seems to be enough to respond.
Prejudgemental and ignorant ideas are written as if they were facts. I guess you can't debate many things or call it a forum if "my ideas are more true than the truth itself" kind of stubbornness overwhelm knowledge or responds with crassness are more than the ones with openness. I've read most of the latest topics and i believe there are many posts from same people here that wouldn't empower or motivate any healthy conversation. No respect for others no discussion...that is of course an opinion.

[Karl Henning]

It's become so easy for morons to start their own blogs so they do that so they don't have to put up with crap from sane people on public boards.

That's beautiful.