Who and What Are We? Did I Miss a Memo?

2-10-18 | Self

[CincyRichieRich]

I'm scared to post this for fear of being yelled at, banned, hurting Jim's feelings...I truly value, love, enjoy everyone here, even those I've argued with...we are family. That said, families ask tough questions...

Over the past year, more recently, fewer posts are made getting the scoop, informing, starting great discussions. I've always considered myself a bit player here, and such a Friday cat and scared of technology, I lurked for 5 yrs before making a user ID, so my dob on Freep really isn't accurate...been here a while.

So I ask who are we? Our purpose is?

Jim is a patriot, created a community and tool to protect and inform the republic...I have noticed a shift...if I post something, lately I am shocked no one else did before me...am I alone in noticing this?

Perhaps it is a sign of our tech and political times...GP, Last Refuge and Sundance, the Chan's 4 and 8, Q and qcodefag, all the Twitter analyses by those interpreting Q...Breitbart...etc.

I go to these sites, get the scoop, go to Freep, and am surprised no one usually is discussing what I just read...no, this isn't 100% of the time, but a lot. What changed? I don't think we are disinterested, but maybe takes too much h effort to post and we have even shorter attention spans or just want to get informed and move on? Am I guilty of laziness?

Sunday, the thread discusses some of this from the week gone by, but I'm hoping we aren't reducing ourselves to a weekly thread and that's it...

[JockoManning]

That can be a tricky balancing act.

Too much jaundiced cynical hostilities too soon in the dialogues about important changing trends can blow vital issues, facts and efforts out of the water and thereby sabotage our own shared FREEPER goals and values. Some folks demand laboratory level 100% proof of facts well before such are remotely possible. That's stupid.

Reasonable skepticism is helpful.

Chronic, reflexive, prissy, haughty, self-righteous constant rock throwing is not helpful, not rational, not wise.

[Vendome]

I am getting a lot of info from friends who hear about things on Facecrook long before it hits our radar.

Also, we are down one poster in “2ndDivisionVet”, who was rather prolific...

[JockoManning]

At 71 years, Qx nods his head and mutters—’Yeah, tell me about it.’

[oldvirginian]

I was off the internet for many years. When I retired and again had time to look for conservative web sites I found that most of the old ones had gone establishment.

I happened upon Free Republic by accident and found just what I was looking for. Informed discussion of events and ideas.
I have never run across a group of people as highly educated, as well travelled and as open to discussion as here.

I’ve disagreed with posters on one subject and agreed with them on another, on the same day.
Not many places you find that on the net.
There are Purity Police too many places. The closest we have to that is humblegunner who just hates blogs and fills his days complaining about them.

The Great Purge of 2015-2016 saw many posters get the Zot for being vehemently against Donald Trump.
The discussions were lively, heated even, and when it became too bad posters were banished. Sad but needed.

The increase in religious posts is because like the world in general we are getting older.
When one gets older they tend to pay more attention to where their souls will spend eternity.
Plain and simple.

Don’t despair, there are natural cycles and they extend even here.

[trisham]

A belated welcome, oldvirginian.

Pinging a fellow FReeper that you mentioned in your post.

[PapaBear3625]

FR has changed since I first discovered it in 2000. We were younger, more energetic, more likely to “hit the streets”. I think we are just plain older.

There's also a lot more sites than just FR.

[freedomlover]

I have been here a while - IMHO Freerepublic is doing just fine.

[Avalon Memories]

I recognized your typo immediately. See my post #37. Those who knocked you for "Friday," either didn't get it or decided to be snarky. That's on them, not you.

You have a valid point. Others have made the same or similar points in the past. I think the main problem is that FR started circa 1997. FR was innovative 20 years ago, but has not changed at all while the internet has grown exponentially in:

technology

forum styles (e.g., no need to use HTML for formatting)

number of users

enormous variety of news and information sources

In those respects, time has passed FR by. I say that not as criticism, just simple fact. And say it even though I still enjoy coming here several times a day, and still think this basic style of forum is the best bar none. I only wish it could be updated so use of HTML for formatting would no longer be necessary.

[JockoManning]

Yeah. Very much missed.

[Jane Long]

????

[gunnyg]

I’ve been online since ‘97 when I bought a WebTV and learned what email is!
FR came along shortly thereafter, don’t remember my old fr login.
Lotta forums have come and gone bellyup since that time.
*****
Semper Trump.45 Cocked & Locked!
IF We Can Keep Him?
DickG@PlanetWTF!
;)
Don’t Forget To Laugh!
*********************************

[Brooklyn Attitude]

“I respect your honesty.”

In that case do you want to go out tonight? :-)

[Vendome]

What?

[ConservativeMind]

Well, with conservative “scoops” coming from lesser known people, once they post them, HumbleGunner severely screws them over.

I’d leave Free Republic, too, if I didn’t know he was just a toothless jerk, but I’ve seen a lot fewer articles, too.

[trisham]

Still respecting your honesty, but married. :)

[humblegunner]

once they post them, HumbleGunner severely screws them over.

What a meanie he is!

I’ve seen a lot fewer articles, too.

Maybe you should post some.

[JockoManning]

Hey, guy,

If you keep being so reasonable and constructive, your alter ego reputation will suffer. Be careful! LOL.

[humblegunner]

Be careful!

You're right, I'll keep an eye on that.

[Mears]

bfl

[Leep]

The beer is free.
The chicks are very expensive.