With CBorgman's impending departure, I'm moved to ask...

In the past 6 months, we've lost some great contributors to this site due to "org overload."

What is it about a Web community like this that can so possess one's attention and energy? Is it just a stupid Web site, or does a place like this serve deeper social functions? And is that good or bad? What do you guys think?

it's an experience that will either strengthen you, or kill you.

I can't speak for anyone else, but it serves a deeper social function for me. I can tell you that there is nothing like talking to people who have something in common with you, especially if they are Prince fans. There really isn't anyone in my life outside the org that even gets Prince. I have found some of the smartest, openminded, caring, and funny people right here on this site that have spilled over and became some of my closest friends.

I log on whenever i'm feeling suicidal hoping something or someone will give me that extra push I need to swallow whole bottle of vicodens or to slash my wrist vertically. Have you've noticed I've been on every day? Come on people you need to try harder! I'm not motivated yet

sinisterpentatonic said:

That is a horrible picture of a pimple in your profile.

Haystack said:

LOL! :LOL: Haystack you are evil. That's why I love you!

For me it serves as a social outlet. I can't understand why people let others get to them to the point of leaving. Cborg better not be out of here!

Perhaps some people have skin that is not as thick as other orgers, or in Pook and Haystack's case, fur that is not as thick.

"Haystack would rather be nude than wear a furry man... or not" edit
[This message was edited Wed Aug 13 11:32:07 PDT 2003 by DrFrankenfurter]

good question! i've never really understood why folks get so miffed over some of the stuff that goes on here...it all boils down to miscommunication at times, basically. some folks take things differently than others and stuff gets misconstrued or what-not, therefore petty shit starts up and people get heated over the silliest little things. i don't quite understand why it comes down to that at times around here, cuz when push comes to shove it ain't nothin but words on a screen. period.

as for me, i'm here on the org for 3 main things:

the people
to learn more about prince
to have a good time


mine!!!

I, for one, am very aware that there are real people behind these avatars. That means that the people I like here matter to me, and inspire me, and the people who are mean/ignorant/stupid depress me. Similar to non-org life.

Every so often, somebody (or multiple somebodies) who seem less aware of the real people behind the avatars will say something particularly cruel or inhumane, and I'm reminded that this form of communication can bring out the worst in people. And then I go away for awhile, because really, do we NEED to be reminded that people can be awful?

More often, some of y'all remind me that people can be wonderful.

I think the org is evil. I started posting as opposed to the occasional lurking because I was out of a job and it gave me something to do. At first I loved it, loved meeting new people and exchanging ideas. Now I think it has become a somewhat hazardous addiction. My family thinks I'm crazy for being online so much, my boyfriend claims he's being neglected in favor of my "org" crush. I'm hoping when school starts again and I am back in the classroom my life will sort itself out, but as of right now, I regret becoming so involved with this site. Some people here I truly do care for and do not regret forming relationships with,but I wish I didn't waste so much of my time this way. OK rant mode disengaged...back to idle nonsense now.
[This message was edited Wed Aug 13 13:47:14 PDT 2003 by Sweeny79]

sinisterpentatonic said:

I've still got half a bottle of vicoden, You can come over and I'll drive you to finish it

Sweeny79 said:

hey...those vicoden pills are great !!!

Problems with very good online communities like this is that people get absorbed into that particular society. It's just like life. The problem is people in general have the opportunity to let the boards take over a major part of thier lives which in turn can effect their work performance, relationships, and their overall interaction with people that are in front of them not in cyberspace.

justkelley said:

I my dentist

Sweeny79 said:

He might love you too, after he puts you under that is :LOL:

For me, I think the Org affects me the way it does because I've always been very "written-word" oriented (damn, there must be a word for that, but I"m blanking on it now!, lol). I started reading and writing at a relatively young age, and I love trying to put words together in a way that expresses my personal "voice" (or reading something that is put together well by someone else). Some people here just really appeal to my sense of written/verbal "flow", and they have a great sense of humor. Others appeal to me on a more emotional level, like when they can pull together all of the above: content, style, warmth and humor. Add to that a common perception of the world/life, and I'm hooked!

The way people write and express themselves, combined with some of the visuals here, really grabs me!

It's like everything else in life. However high you get is just a matter of taste...yours

magnificentsynthesizer667 said:

that is gross! You should see what my dentist looks like

It's not difficult to be succesful here, for you're only judged by your written thoughts...(and if real, an avatar)
What I'm writing right now is well thought through, it's not just a quick reply !
In real life you don't usualy get the time to do so, therefor people get room to express thereselves on topics that normaly in life wouldn't be discussed in the way they are done here.

The Org is not real life, you can be who you want to be here.
You can come and leave, you have no responsabillity to anyone..you don't even have to be yourself !!
You have to imagine a lot around a persons words and interpretating ones words without knowing the person ain't easy.

I think the org is a flight escape for a lot of us, which is ok as long as you keep it balanced. You won't find here what you need in real life.

I don't visit this site enough to adequately answer this question.

Alot more people (including myself) work at a computer all day. So the org is a nice diversion (like every 15 minutes, LOL).

I don't think it's as much the fault of the Org, but rather we're all a pretty interesting and diverse group of people who just LOVE to talk.