Is it me ? Or is it the Forum ?

WingedLiberty1957

I am guessing it's me. I used to post a lot (more) years ago. And I used to be a lot more interested in the threads. It just seemed like the topics and discussions were a lot more interesting 3 to 5 (or more) years ago. Maybe I've changed tho. But lately I find it really hard to get into a meaty thread (I dont actually see meaty threads much anymore). Maybe it's the loss of some of the really deep thinking posters? Perhaps others have sort of turned away? I miss the old days? But it could be that my interest has waned a bit. Does anyone else miss the threads from 3, 5, 7 years ago .... You know those threads that end up with 20+ pages of comments, with really heated and passionate discussions. Maybe it's the new heavier hand of the admins? Closing threads early or deleting threads? Not sure. I do poke over here at least once a day, but rarely find any threads I want to respond to.

Raybo

It's not you WL, I have also lost interest.
I miss the old days...…………...

Unknown

This content has been removed.

Zoins

@WingedLiberty1957 said:
Does anyone else miss the threads from 3, 5, 7 years ago .... You know those threads that end up with 20+ pages of comments, with really heated and passionate discussions.

A lot of those threads tend to disappear, sometimes taking forum members with them.

Coinstartled

Coin talk alone can get dull quickly. Many of the old characters that added some spice are gone. Some still remain.

Onastone

@WingedLiberty1957 said:

It just seemed like the topics and discussions were a lot more interesting 3 to 5 (or more) years ago.

I remember a couple heated discussions that were really fun to read, I found myself swinging from one side of the dispute to the other after hearing the different opinions and facts, then things quieted down, we lost our DISAGREE button, some members were deleted, everybody became courteous and everything became neat and orderly. I do understand the need to control the forum and it is a pleasure to not have snarky remarks everywhere...but I think members are playing it safe, not disagreeing and just keeping quiet.

So WingedLiberty, I was wondering if you could find a couple of those old threads that were fun to read and resurrect them....just make a comment and it'll pop right back up to the top!

Raybo

and for some strange reason I will be at the CSNS for the billionth time.
Why do I insist at throwing my money away instead of just doing what all the dealers do?

Staring at my laptop/computer for a few hours, talking with fellow dealers, talking on my cellphone, going out to dinner, ignoring the people that really count (collectors?), complaining how bad the show has been, waiting for my lackey to bring me lunch so I can see what you had for lunch because I can see it in your teeth and leaving after the first day.

If I'm still alive I will be there for the billionth and one time next year.

topstuf

This is the present content of the OFR.

I guess we should consider ourselves lucky here.

Zoins

Today, I've been enjoying the Jefferson Nickel threads. Lots of history about things I didn't know much about.

• Does anyone remember PAK? The Full Step Nickel Club.
• Grading Full Step Jefferson Nickels - Then and Now

Walkerfan

I still enjoy it here...

291fifth

It is now a very mature forum. Is is more difficult to generate interest when everything has been discussed many times and in many forms.

coinsarefun

Meh, just a phase

BG

I do. Just a new group of collectors who need experience. Old timers move on which I feel is a normal progression. They return though when retirement and time permits.

SanctionII

My interest in posting new threads and in replying to threads of others waxes and wanes.

As time goes by and one becomes more informed and knowledgeable about the hobby, reading and posting to new threads on topics that you have already learned about simply causes one to lose interest.

Also, collector tastes change and what was once an area where many would have interest no longer draws the same attention.

In my primary area of interest (Cameo proof and SMS coinage from 1936 to 1970), when I first joined the forums in 2004 there were multiple persons interested in this area and thus multiple threads on same. Not so any more. The number of threads and photos posted about this niche area of the hobby draws much less interest and attention. Newly posted threads quickly drop off of page 1. Thus my interest has declined.

I do like to check in daily just to keep up on newly posted threads. Many threads cover topics that have various levels of interest to me; however I do like to read what others have to say. A very interesting group of forumites who have a deep and wide knowledge base of the hobby and of non hobby topics.

One of my current favorites threads which has shown to have legs is the Random Picture Post (that used to be for Friday and seems to now be 7 days a week).

topstuf

It's pretty widespread.

Old article but pertinent to forums.

http://artofbonsai.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3088

Raybo

Wishy washy answers so far.
Nobody is stepping up to the plate except myself and the OP.

BillDugan1959

IMHO, lots of websites and forums are in a lull or dull phase right now.

Don't know how it all ties together, although many of the sites which I visit regularly have some economics aspect to them.

One of my pet peeves here is the fair numbers of members (often new, but not always) who insist that some things are very very valuable, when I know that that is simply not the case. Big turn off.

Raybo

@291fifth said:
It is now a very mature forum. Is is more difficult to generate interest when everything has been discussed many times and in many forms.

Really?
And when did that happen?

Raybo

Let me look...…..NOPE..... I have not matured one iota since I joined this forum. (and it probably shows)

TwoSides2aCoin

Really, what we need we got.

SeattleSlammer

@coinsarefun said:
Meh, just a phase

I agree.

It is what you want it to be.

You’re more likely projecting your own lull in interest.

Raybo

I miss the true collectors, here's two off the top of my pointed little head....mrhalfdime and quarternut.
Both of them were very passionate and knowledgeable, traits that are hard to find now a days.

WildIdea

We get the forum we deserve, or
We get the forum we make.

@WingedLiberty1957, I always appreciate the threads you posted on BN Lincoln pop reports, etc. Thanks for adding the positive content. Your prob in a temporary downturn and interest will naturally spike now and then, hang in there.

jedm

Be the change-

Swampboy

@SeattleSlammer said:

@coinsarefun said:
Meh, just a phase

I agree.

It is what you want it to be.

You’re more likely projecting your own lull in interest.

Analyze this

😁

coinsarefun

@Swampboy said:

Analyze this

😁
.
.
.
.
.
https://youtu.be/ravi4YtUTxo

YQQ

it is even worse on other forums.
on some of them the "forum Police" is extreme active.
Here at least there is some latitude and communication

ElmerFusterpuck

I think some have moved on from collecting, and others have moved on to other forums or platforms.

I post probably as much if not more on Instagram nowadays, but still like to read the educational threads on here. The other ones that need non-coin snark to keep the responses going, I just pass on those.

cameonut2011

I think disenchantment with the state of the hobby and market is driving people to other areas. Many of the posters that posted useful information have left and those that remain (there are still many here) seem to post less since fewer people that remain seem to appreciate their efforts. (I do.)

cameonut2011

Sadly if we take away grade inflation, eBay, and CAC threads the activity here looks a lot more like ATS. I also find the demeanor of certain posters really obnoxious and toxic, sucking the life out of every thread they touch. Then there are intentional trolls. It all adds up.

neildrobertson

I honestly think the lack of good moderation is hurting.

Edthelorax

I sure am glad you all are here.
I'm not going to regret not being here back then, better late than never.
I find this to be by far the best of the 5 forums I belong to.
The mods. just do their job, and they do it well IMHO.
The content is all encompassing, moves fast and there is a lot of it. I learn something every day.
The members are almost always polite, nothing like some who Talk about Coins.
The posters here are all so knowledgeable and willing to share.,

The hobby does have a future. It's not dying, it's maturing. It needs people like you guys to continue guiding it.
Social media has changed the way knowledge is shared and opinions are molded, so use it to our advantage.
Coins are really cool and digital imaging is helping show why to the world but it is nothing without the knowledge that come with it.

ricko

Forums cycle in various ways... membership - both quality and quantity, topics of interest, professionalism and, of course, quality of posts. After over 20 years here, I have seen the cycle a couple of times. Cheers, RickO

keets

I used to be a lot more interested in the threads.

I posted something similar several weeks ago and was pretty much told it is still really interesting here with lots of good threads. maybe it just depends on who makes the observation.

Agflyer

I’m definitely more of a lurker, but I still enjoy reading the forum on a daily basis. I don’t see that changing any time soon.

BillJones

History and good stories about coins are the things that interest me the most. Aside from Roger and a few others, there is not as much interest in those topics these days. I am on another site doing more that, and I think it's for the best. Grading controversies have ruined a part of the hobby for me.

DRUNNER

Perhaps our Forum has changed a bit . . . . but so has the hobby. I used to love the opportunity here to chat with the owner of a 1913 LibNick . . . and then just revert back to my 'average Joe' collecting mode. But the hobby is not a static thing . . . it waffles back and forth as the economy, public perception, and interest waxes and wanes with developing generations.

Yes . . it did seem a bit more intense in the past . . . but I still can glean a bit of information here and there from specialists who post at times.

This Forum should be a place you venture to for fun, relaxation, and the occasional 'a-ha' moment. If you are using it as a barometer of the hobby or your life . . . perhaps you need to expand horizons just a bit . . .

Drunner

ECHOES

The only consistent thing in life is change.

ctf_error_coins

@ECHOES said:
The only consistent thing in life is change.

IMO, this is the best Pink Floyd Song ......

https://youtu.be/qiaF4kuxJco

Gluggo

Wing liberty hang in there be strong! As with everything it gets old we start to wonder. I have been fighting the Sugar attack on my body (diabetes) for the last 2 years. About the time I joined here. Some days are worse than others. If you have great health count your blessings and love each day to the fullest. This board has been a blessing for me. My dog a life saver! Wishing you a wonderful weekend and sending you my dog Izzy.

topstuf

How are the forums for the non-history caring younger folks doing?
Or do they even want to read that much?

Kkathyl

I feel you we had changes to the rules and a few dropped off. I try to come often to read but been real busy with all the new releases. Hang in.

ColonelJessup

The White House Gift Shop hasn't released the sales figures for the "challenge coin" for the second summit talk with the Dear Leader of the NPRK, but the discussion of the last one went far afield and was very informative.

The last 47 CAC threads? Not so much

matt_dac

@Raybo said:
Wishy washy answers so far.
Nobody is stepping up to the plate except myself and the OP.

What does that tell you? Perhaps the opinion is not as widespread or as intense as you’d hoped.

Drama and nonsense also drives people away. I think the forum is just fine as is and welcome the level of Admin intervention I’ve seen so far.

Zoins

@SanctionII said:
In my primary area of interest (Cameo proof and SMS coinage from 1936 to 1970), when I first joined the forums in 2004 there were multiple persons interested in this area and thus multiple threads on same. Not so any more. The number of threads and photos posted about this niche area of the hobby draws much less interest and attention. Newly posted threads quickly drop off of page 1. Thus my interest has declined.

Are there other areas or forums where this part of the hobby is still more popular? Are new collectors coming into this part of the hobby?

BillJones

Are new collectors coming into this part of the hobby?

From what I've seen most of the new collectors, if they are collectors, are obsessed with doubled die coins. Even when they find one, it's usually minor that there are little interest in them.

dpoole

It's funny how memory operates.

With some exceptions, of course, we tend to think better of the "good old days," to the frequent bafflement of younger folks who are experiencing more of the here and now.

topstuf

@dpoole said:
It's funny how memory operates.

With some exceptions, of course, we tend to think better of the "good old days," to the frequent bafflement of younger folks who are experiencing more of the here and now.

"Here and now" being ....SOCIAL MEDIA???

Post a double die funny cat video.

1Mike1

The weather is changing. Time to get out in the yard.