Just some random thoughts on UD and some UD members ...
It's easy to lurk on a forum and just watch as the dialogue unfolds. It's even easier to stop visiting outright and be forgotten. I find that UD has become somewhat more complicated since 2006, in that whereas when I joined I was able to slip into the community easily, I now find it hard to post simply because I feel that first someone has to brief me up on what's been happening on the forum in the last twelve months.
To me, the most striking things that seem to currently be occurring here are the Disney Duster attacks. I must admit I'm completely out of touch. I don't really know what Duster says to annoy other people simply because I falter the moment I face one of his posts, er- ... I mean essays. I sort of find the attacks amusing, in that they don't seem exactly mean ... apparently generated more by annoyance at Duster's beliefs. At the same time, I find Duster's unpopularity kinda sad, since I'm fond of him and have sweet memories of exchanging ultra-long emails in the past, as well as general fooling around on the boards.
As I've already said, I mostly lurk nowadays, but for the past two months I was entirely absent, in that I didn't even have a computer at home, let alone an internet connection (surprisingly I found that I didn't really miss my PC so much). Lurking has the unfortunate consequence of providing the lurker with all manner of information about others, whilst not divulging any information about the lurker. As a result, I've become familiar with certain users (e.g. Margos) while they do not know me. There's something about this form of one-way communication that almost seems parasitic. Of course, I'm not a parasite - the relationship just feels that way.
Despite the rarity of my visits on the site and forum, some UDers still leave an impression, such as:
1. Goliath - who in my mind's eye is tall, dark and stern, but endlessly fascinating.
2. Sotiris - who feels nice and close, being Mediterranean. I look forward to his updates on everything WDAS and animation in general, as he seems to scour every known animation website on the internet for the latest news.
3. Flanger-Hanger/SpringHeelJack - I've talked very little to these guys. I think I find it a little difficult to converse with them since they form a sort of online clique which I'm a little afraid to penetrate. I like them, though. They're funny.
4. SuperAurora - love the totally non-PC sense of humour.
5. Wonderlicious - Joe seems to have been more active this last year and half than usual. I love the way he always seems to bring the French language into the discussion somehow. Wondy, along with other such members as Escapay, Amy, Pedro, etc. is one of those with whom I feel the need to keep some contact. Yet I constantly fail at that - feeling guilty for not maintaining the contact. I should keep reminding myself to send the occassional Facebook message to any of those members. I've atoned for my sin somewhat by following Joe's "JarvWorld" blog, which I feel you all should be visiting. *finger wag finger wag* It's full of funny drawings. Just take a look at his mean-spirited card concepts. They're a hoot.
I miss 2099net and ichabod. They used to bring much needed sanity (and wit) to the forums.
I might follow-up this with some more thoughts. Bye, for now.
And I hope that wasn't too boring.
I can be fun and energetic, you know ... when I feel like it.
And a thousand pardons for the stupid thread title, but do you really think you'd have clicked here had it read something like "Philosophical Thoughts on the UD Community"?
Hey, wait ... that actually sounds pretty neat. Maybe I should try it sometime.
