Are discussion forums on its last legs? First post from an old fart.

[One Look]

I remember spending a good portion of the day in discussion forums 15-20 years ago responding to topics and keeping up with current events. With "threads" built into news sites and facebook nowadays, I find it difficult to have a discussion on random topics as user posts are branched out and lost. I've also tried Reddit the other day but didn't like it because you could be responding to something extremely old or someone could've responded to it already. It also doesn't have the sense of community where you get to know the other users.

Am I getting old? If I want to put my thoughts out, do I have to put my face to it by linking my facebook? What do people do online nowadays? Twitter? Instagram? Any recommendations as to where I could "go" to waste my time?

[DaveP]

I like the smaller forums like this one where you get to know people and you can talk among friends.. I've participated too in vast message boards attached to newssites where nobody ever knows anybody and most of your comments are immediately buried because twenty other people posted in the 30 seconds after you did. That's like yelling into a hurricane. Nobody ever reads what you say. Pointless.

[bluerose]

Well I started on freebie boards when they were already slowing down and smartcanucks is the only one left and freebies is almost a thing of the past. But I still find deals here thanks sc. Loads of fun for people who like to open up here and share even though theres like a billion lurkers always wonder if us members are safe from Identity theft. I really miss posting tags from my photobucket album.Attachment 300127

[wolfwoman]

I'm of the same mind as DaveP. Small ones like this are better especially with FallenPixes here to slap the fingers of people who get out of hand. Bigger forums just end up being name calling yelling matches.

[Darth Penguin]

I'm of the same mind as DaveP. Small ones like this are better especially with FallenPixes here to slap the fingers of people who get out of hand. Bigger forums just end up being name calling yelling matches.

Some do and some don't..It depends on the kind of forum.

I've spent over 25 years from primitive bulletin boards based on a single issue through to fora which attract an international participation. For the most part, nearly all have had a polite and welcoming atmosphere..

The only openly aggressive fora I've found have been on Reddit and 4chan and US based politically right leaning fora....

[kenrod]

I don't think these forums are obsolete. As a matter of fact in addition to this one, I am active on two other forums as well.
It is nice to have some on-line friends, with a little bit of anonymity.