A theory on the decline in forums

So remember back in the day before cryptocurrency where users would engage with other users just for the act of engaging?

One user that knew C really well would help out another user just because that's what you do in a forum.

Now - the same user that knows C really well would say "I'll help you out for $5 btc"

The internet definitely upgraded with cryptocurrency, but a lot of things were inadvertently affected

(Aug 5, 2019 06:52 AM)debian Wrote:  So remember back in the day before cryptocurrency where users would engage with other users just for the act of engaging?

One user that knew C really well would help out another user just because that's what you do in a forum.

There are still forums and even places on this forum where this still happens. Some people are very helpful on the internet.
People band together, you develop relations and build your own skillset naturally wether money factors in or not.

(Aug 5, 2019 06:52 AM)debian Wrote:  Now - the same user that knows C really well would say "I'll help you out for $5 btc"

The internet definitely upgraded with cryptocurrency, but a lot of things were inadvertently affected

Since the first secure retail transaction over the web by Netmarket in 1994 people have been selling items and services, cryptocurrency doesn't even factor in to this.
There are a multitude of online courses that you have to pay for, there are even more available for free.
Some people help others for free, others seek some kind of financial sustenance for their efforts and this isn't just limited to online either.

You think money stops samaritans? Think again!

Are forums really declining? That'd be quite sad to hear, as I really just got back into going on them recently. I'm not sure of the situation on other forums, I haven't checked them out much but I think that many people aren't driven by money.

I find that forums like HF and such, ones like these, can really be a breath of fresh air compared to all of the mainstream platforms such as Reddit where people can interact with each other. Wouldn't say that cryptocurrency necessarily played a factor as I'd imagine that even before people could exchange using PayPal and such.

Discord was the Forum Killer imho, with the capacity to create servers, roles and channels with permission restrictions, it's no surprise that place grew so fast.

Until Forums can be upgraded to include Real-time posting and such, I don't think it can recover

The decline of forums is due to a generational difference IMO. I joined in 2012 when I was 17/18 - I am now 24. Many people who joined at the time I did have since grown up and moved on from HF sadly. It seems like the teenagers of today are more interested in social media such as Twitter and Instagram (or, eh, Discord) instead of forums. Of course, HF is getting new members every day, it hasn't completely stagnated but the general idea is that forums simply aren't as 'cool' as they used to be.

(Aug 5, 2019 03:51 PM)DNA Wrote:  Discord was the Forum Killer imho, with the capacity to create servers, roles and channels with permission restrictions, it's no surprise that place grew so fast.

Until Forums can be upgraded to include Real-time posting and such, I don't think it can recover

Shame. There's something quite special about forums, I can't necessarily put a finger on it, which makes them different from being in a Discord server.

(Aug 5, 2019 04:37 PM)SteezyLeff Wrote:  Shame. There's something quite special about forums, I can't necessarily put a finger on it, which makes them different from being in a Discord server.

A good example is if someone else responds before I do, I can't read their response until I either A:) Cut my response, reload the page and paste it or B:) Post then notice their response.

Also in discord, anyone can start a server and invite people in under a minute, with forums, well that's a whole procedure.

Install forum software type, generally MyBB or vBulletin, set up the database, permissions, design etc etc etc

Ease of Access & Real time responses are the primary advantages.

Not to mention you can have a ton of fun with discord bots

I totally agree with you.
In 2014 I helped 1000's of people set up there rats.
I helped people with every thing I could just for the popularity and give a name for my self.
It wasn't just for the rep cause I mostly helped un upgraded members.
Back then I was like 16 tho had no job and was on house arrest.
Now I have 2 kids one being a 7 month old baby and the other 12
I also work 40 hours a week and do multiple online jobs contently.
Also I am older and smarter I can do a lot more now.
Depending on the occasion I will still help some but I dont
even have team viewer installed on my pc any more.
Before I would jump right on it now I will make you wait
for when I am free and ready but if you want to pay I will jump right on it.

(Aug 5, 2019 04:42 PM)DNA Wrote:  A good example is if someone else responds before I do, I can't read their response until I either A:) Cut my response, reload the page and paste it or B:) Post then notice their response.

Also in discord, anyone can start a server and invite people in under a minute, with forums, well that's a whole procedure.

Install forum software type, generally MyBB or vBulletin, set up the database, permissions, design etc etc etc

Ease of Access & Real time responses are the primary advantages.

Not to mention you can have a ton of fun with discord bots

Indeed, I do love Discord but I haven't found too many great servers as I get ignored/not noticed in chats. Maybe I need to go into more specialized ones, which I'll have to do by gaining some skills.

Discord has channels now.
Reddit exists and has an app.
Forums are for the niche and no longer the mainstream norm.

Everyone just moved to sites like reddit, discord, Facebook groups etc.

Honestly at this point forums are kinda archaic

(Aug 5, 2019 05:18 PM)SteezyLeff Wrote:  Indeed, I do love Discord but I haven't found too many great servers as I get ignored/not noticed in chats. Maybe I need to go into more specialized ones, which I'll have to do by gaining some skills.

It's hard to get noticed in large communities in discord unless you either A: have something to contribute or B: you have joined prior to it booming or C: you have a special role in that server

(Aug 5, 2019 06:52 AM)debian Wrote:  So remember back in the day before cryptocurrency where users would engage with other users just for the act of engaging?

One user that knew C really well would help out another user just because that's what you do in a forum.

Now - the same user that knows C really well would say "I'll help you out for $5 btc"

The internet definitely upgraded with cryptocurrency, but a lot of things were inadvertently affected

I wish I remembered those days!!

(Aug 5, 2019 06:52 AM)debian Wrote:  So remember back in the day before cryptocurrency where users would engage with other users just for the act of engaging?

One user that knew C really well would help out another user just because that's what you do in a forum.

Now - the same user that knows C really well would say "I'll help you out for $5 btc"

The internet definitely upgraded with cryptocurrency, but a lot of things were inadvertently affected

I think its the lack of belonging, and the lack of focus on rewarding quality threads/content.