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Where has everyone gone??

100.37.91.99
Posted on January 7, 2017 at 19:06:40
GregS
Audiophile

Posts: 504
Joined: December 21, 2000
 I've been away for a little while and I am wondering what has happened to all the traffic I remember? Is the industry fading, are there more/other audio forums? I remember the discussions being so quick and new pages being formed daily but now, now it seems so slow. I find myself feeling nostalgic for the "old days" here at the asylum....

 

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RE: Where has everyone gone??, posted on January 13, 2017 at 08:27:28
nikodemia1
Audiophile

Posts: 190
Location: michigan
Joined: March 30, 2003
 It's not just this site, or audio in general, I've been seeing a major drop off in posts at all the forums that I belong too.

 

FB, posted on January 10, 2017 at 20:17:34
Green Lantern
Audiophile

Posts: 16952
Location: San Diego, Ca
Joined: November 12, 2002
Contributor
  Since: June 17, 2003
 oh I still come here often but fb has a ton of audio related groups.









 

so I hear, posted on January 12, 2017 at 07:08:59
mhardy6647
Audiophile

Posts: 16014
Location: New England
Joined: October 12, 1999
Contributor
  Since: October 23, 2016
 but I avoid Facebook like the proverbial Plague.
Actually, I'd probably take my chances with the Plague.
all the best,
mrh

 

some people have thin skin, posted on January 10, 2017 at 17:10:08
hifitommy
Audiophile

Posts: 15387
Location: canyon country califiornia, orig from buffalo ny
Joined: June 9, 2000
 and can't stand to be challenged nor hold their ground, so they leave instead. if yo want to be barraged, try the hydrogen audio site. it will give you a new appreciation for AA.
...regards...tr

 

RE: Where has everyone gone??, posted on January 10, 2017 at 16:42:03
GregS
Audiophile

Posts: 504
Joined: December 21, 2000
 Thank you all for the well thought out replies! As I write this I have to wonder how many people now visit these forums via Smart tablets or phones? I never turn on my PC anymore and do all of my browsing/internet stuff on a tablet. I hate writing on this thing so I feel less inclined to post! I was never a huge contributor here but other forums I participated far more often in before I used the tablet. One has to wonder if this is playing a role too? Is there a memorial page for deceased members?

 

RE: Where has everyone gone??, posted on January 11, 2017 at 20:26:39
The Bored
Bored Member

Posts: 2996
Joined: July 28, 2000
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 1999
 >>Is there a memorial page for deceased members?

There is a list of sorts at the bottom of the Support Your Local Asylum page.


Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum, et cetera, et cetera...
Memo bis punitor delicatum! It's all there, black and white,
clear as crystal! Blah, blah, and so on and so forth ...

 

"Individual contributors of money, goods and time", posted on January 13, 2017 at 05:52:12
Green Lantern
Audiophile

Posts: 16952
Location: San Diego, Ca
Joined: November 12, 2002
Contributor
  Since: June 17, 2003
 can you please elaborate to what type of "goods" folks are contributing? Just curious.









 

I am here and at the AK site... lots of Akers are inmates too, posted on January 10, 2017 at 12:36:54
MannyE
Audiophile

Posts: 2088
Location: Miami Beach
Joined: March 4, 2001
 i don't think it dilutes the traffic here....

 

people get tired.. of attacks, of answering the same questions over and over, of hangers on.. who never post, posted on January 9, 2017 at 07:58:46
3+4=5
 One of my non-favorites is the 'philosophical question'.. which takes a lot of thought, and a long answer, yet the op of it never add two cents to the discussion. (as if the 'favor' of asking was enough work. IMO they should have had made the effort to begin the discussion)

The huge threads which magically vanish due to the vague whim of some mysterious force. After awhile one hesitates to even bother posting to anything which might be even a tiny bit 'dangerous'.
A forum or two where the capricious forces are even more unstable. since it seems they read a few words and "POOF!" gone. Even though they totally failed to understand the thread, failed to actually read the thread, and that the thread had nothing to do with the 'magic poof words'.

(One big solution would be to use 'Whiners Woad' as a resting place for ALL banished threads, even if for only a week.. Even if the threads was closed. so folks COULD see WTF is going on.

Then the annoying folks who just love to fight. Or trash the same hated persons work. Some of those who seem to be favored, and are not chastised, vs others who get the shaft all the time.

It is true plenty of folks just went away.. I myself quit several other sites due to sheer boredom. No one posts anything interesting. And Horror of horrors.. if they did, it would get removed anyway.

So... bland content, everyone 'interesting' has already moved on due to endless crap..
Talk about bland. "Central" is for cat pictures (which alone makeit worth every moment), What Bullethead ate, and pretty much nothing else. Oh maybe a photo array of cars, or some header with link (no discussion, nothing, not even wtf the link is about, being another pet peeve. If you think it is worth linking, then it SHOULD be worth a few sentences of the topic, and WHY you think it is worth a look. If the op cannot be bothered, well neither can I! LOL

 

RE: Where has everyone gone??, posted on January 9, 2017 at 05:46:06
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Points taken. There are a plethora of other forums, plus, other (gasp) "social" media outlets. No very social if you ask me. Lastly, the passing of members (inmates) every year all accounts for the decline in participation on any one Audio forum.

 

RE: Where has everyone gone??, posted on January 8, 2017 at 21:37:35
Todd Krieger
Audiophile

Posts: 37333
Location: SW United States
Joined: November 2, 2000
 I think most digitally-sourced music (including remastered pop/rock classics) is processed beyond repair. Dynamic compression, Auto-Tune, real-time lossless playback, etc. It just won't inspire people to reproduce it with higher fidelity. Even though most people aren't aware of the music's compromised state.

The mere concept of high-fidelity sound reproduction is becoming extinct amongst the younger population, simply because hardly anyone experiences it to any appreciable degree.

There is no mainstream music in recent time which was recorded at a level of (vinyl) Pink Floyd, Alan Parsons, Dire Straits, Steely Dan, or even Fleetwood Mac..... There was a time where playing familiar hit tunes through a high-quality system for the first time was an epiphanic experience, which inspired us to acquire quality sound reproduction. But there has been no mainstream music in maybe the past 15 years that can truly evoke such experience for today's young consumers.

I believe this is why the interest in high-end audio has declined drastically in the past 15 years.

 

RE: Where has everyone gone??, posted on January 11, 2017 at 00:33:25
Disbeliever
Audiophile

Posts: 1877
Joined: June 1, 2012
 I see from audio magazines that there is more expensive high end audio products on the market than ever before ,with all the debate on the loss of interest in Hi-Fi especially by the younger generation, who is buying these expensive items,in the UK there are 6 or more Hi-Fi magazines full of adverts, so somebody somewhere must be buying or the Hi-Fi mags & manufacturers could not exist.

 

RE: Where has everyone gone??, posted on January 9, 2017 at 09:50:44
TubeDriver
Audiophile

Posts: 794
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 16, 2007
 Not sure that is entirely correct. For example, the Drive-By Truckers recorded many of their albums in analog (using 2 inch, 16-track open-reel tape recorders). SQ is pretty good. They are a pretty well known band although admittedly not as prolific as the bands you mentioned.

 

RE: Where has everyone gone??, posted on January 10, 2017 at 18:38:01
Todd Krieger
Audiophile

Posts: 37333
Location: SW United States
Joined: November 2, 2000
 Never heard of the Drive-By Truckers..... I'll check the band out.... Thank you much!

That was why I mentioned mainstream bands of the past.... Most people in the 1970s heard of Alan Parsons and Fleetwood Mac..... Yet like the Drive-By Truckers, there were also some great not-so-well-known acts like Camel and Gentle Giant......

I think of great recent acts like Steven Wilson and Dream Theater.... But unlike Steely Dan, you won't find a lot of people familiar with these acts. The mainstream treats these acts like they don't even exist.

 

RE: Where has everyone gone??, posted on January 11, 2017 at 01:23:34
TubeDriver
Audiophile

Posts: 794
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 16, 2007
 Try their album "A Blessing and a Curse."

 

RE: Where has everyone gone??, posted on January 8, 2017 at 21:08:05
longtimequadowner
Audiophile

Posts: 1040
Location: Vancouver BC
Joined: April 25, 2003



2016 was the first year of my adult life I spent $0 on equipment, absolutely nothing. Since the day I set up my nearfield system (in my systems list) November 2015 I was so taken by the immersive immediate sound that I stopped spending, stopped reading. It wasn't the equipment in the end, it was the room/setup - my little nearfield setup gives me all I want from headphones and all I need from a bigger system, and blends into a room that I want to be in.

AA can kinda work in reverse of what it should - people happy with their systems stop buying, stop reading, stop posting - but it was probably AA in large part that got them there. That said, if I'd seen a post about the setup I have now before I heard it, I'd have written it off - too closed minded. I do kinda miss the hobby aspect of it - but not too much.

 

RE: Where has everyone gone??, posted on January 8, 2017 at 17:24:08
rkeman
Audiophile

Posts: 597
Location: Florida
Joined: July 26, 2003
 It seems to be a little bit of everything. There is less exposure to new equipment with so many bricks and mortar retailers leaving the business. The cost of components and loudspeakers has increased significantly. The music industry has gone through huge changes that greatly impact how we listen. Younger listeners have embraced convenience and portability over sound quality and often don't have the disposable income to have expensive smart phones, laptops, pads and quality high fidelity equipment.

 

Curious response, posted on January 8, 2017 at 13:21:48
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37584
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 given the little bit of traffic you've contributed for the past sixteen years. :)

 

RE: Curious response, posted on January 8, 2017 at 14:34:00
GregS
Audiophile

Posts: 504
Joined: December 21, 2000
 I think it demonstrates my level of concern!! I used to have so much to read while I lurked around but now I have to post! The horror!

 

RE: Where has everyone gone??, posted on January 8, 2017 at 09:50:18
Jack G
Audiophile

Posts: 9739
Joined: September 24, 1999
 One can only discuss the same subjects over and over for so long.
Also, many of us have lives, and free time is not as common or plentiful as it used to be.
As for other fora, there are a few out there. They each have their own unique style. You decide which you want to chat in.
Enjoy,
Jack

 

That said, one of the advantage of advancing age..., posted on January 8, 2017 at 16:35:24
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 is that on CAN discuss the same subjects over and over and over and over.

At least that's how it works here in the 'assisted living center'.


First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

Welcome to the home...(nt), posted on January 8, 2017 at 16:51:46
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
 (nt)

 

RE: Where has everyone gone??, posted on January 8, 2017 at 09:50:08
Mike B.
Audiophile

Posts: 26352
Location: OR
Joined: September 27, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 1, 1999
 This site sprung out of the resistance to new ideas at the old AR forum. There was very little else going then. Now, there are many audio related forums, and a shift to home theatre by many. Same for shows and audio focus review sites. It does not take much expenditure to set one up on the net.


 

RE: Where has everyone gone??, posted on January 8, 2017 at 08:06:36
krankkall
Audiophile

Posts: 296
Location: New Mexico
Joined: April 5, 2014
 Audiophiles are a dying breed.....literally!

Many of us grew up with record players and tube amps.
Now you hear the saying that 65 is the new 50.
But anyone who has ever woken up feeling like they were dragged behind a semi for 25 miles, knows better?

Steve

 

RE: Where has everyone gone??, posted on January 8, 2017 at 07:20:17
tketcham
Audiophile

Posts: 6701
Location: East of the 100th meridian USofA
Joined: March 21, 2005
Contributor
  Since: October 1, 2005
 Hi, Greg,

I've noticed the same thing. The forums over at VinylEngine, Audiogon, and AudioKarma are much more active. It's lamentable to think Luminator's suggestion that "(c) the uncalled-for personal attacks and denigration" has driven people away but I believe it to be true. Many of the regulars here at AudioAsylum tend to be far more argumentative (aggressively so) than at other sites.

I don't know if it's entirely due to more restrictive posting rules and/or diligent monitoring (including self-monitoring) at other sites but the Asylum seems to accommodate embarrassingly juvenile behavior that adds nothing to the discussion and probably does drive people away. I do understand that the Asylum's goal is to foster "(d)ebate about audio, even when heated", but I also wonder if it's time to redefine the current Asylum paradigm for what is considered a "heated" discussion.

Regards,
Tom

Footnote: My perspective, but go ahead and fire away.

 

I've heard that much of the old forum traffic has moved to 'social media', posted on January 8, 2017 at 05:54:38
mhardy6647
Audiophile

Posts: 16014
Location: New England
Joined: October 12, 1999
Contributor
  Since: October 23, 2016
 but I don't "do" social media, so I cannot actually confirm that.

Seems plausible, though.

all the best,
mrh

 

sometimes to create one must first destroy, posted on January 8, 2017 at 05:52:25
geoffkait
 Just kidding

 

RE: Where has everyone gone??, posted on January 7, 2017 at 22:03:15
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 Mayb we're spending more time listening to music
Alan

 

In The Background, posted on January 7, 2017 at 21:04:34
Luminator
Audiophile

Posts: 7331
Location: Bay Area
Joined: December 11, 2000
 Presently, audiophiles read, bookmark, cite, refer to, and peruse AA. But on account (a) the flames and (b) the preponderance of the SAs, and (c) the uncalled-for personal attacks and denigration, regular audiophiles no longer post here. Instead, they email each other. For example, on any given day, an average of six different audiophiles will be in email contact with me. That has held steady, for at least 6 years.

Popular music had a rebirth in 2012. Today, due to music reaching more continents and markets, its popularity is at an all-time high. It's just not in the forms or genres SAs are used to, like, or think about.

And yes, the masses are more aware of, and have a thirst for, high-quality audio. But again, this interest is not in the forms we old school audiophiles acknowledge, understand, or are open to.

But just because you do not see as much traffic or as many posts, does not mean that AA is any less popular or useful. Everyone is simply lurking in the background, and not writing any posts.

Also note that, each year, we lose contributors due to their passing.

-Lummy The Loch Monster

 

RE: In The Background, posted on January 9, 2017 at 14:30:52
michaelhigh
Audiophile

Posts: 839
Location: midwest
Joined: August 18, 2010
 What is an SA, Luminator?

 

RE: In The Background, posted on January 10, 2017 at 15:02:49
GregS
Audiophile

Posts: 504
Joined: December 21, 2000
 I'm guessing site admin

 

RE: In The Background, posted on January 10, 2017 at 09:47:23
michaelhigh
Audiophile

Posts: 839
Location: midwest
Joined: August 18, 2010
 smartass?

 

RE: In The Background, posted on January 7, 2017 at 22:06:35
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 I agree with you except I don't think the "masses" are more interested in higher quality
Alan

 

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