Is TPF 'the Internet'?

[shefjr]

Terri,

I don't have distaste for beginners.
What bothers me is when dependent behavior is encouraged.
Yes, the business model here is to scoop in lots of newbies - and depend on the more experienced people to help them along - it's the clicks.
But by not asking the newbies to participate in the process by actually doing something, then what happens is that TPF is providing a model for every other person who comes along to burn up peoples' time and effort.

I looked back at some old threads and the vast proportion of experienced people are gone - and they haven't been replaced.
I come here to help people if I can and to see things that inspire me - and honestly there isn't too much of the latter.

My only interest in this is trying to make this a better place - and I have tried to do my part.

Making an ad hominem attack on me in the thread doesn't encourage me to work harder or to continue posting.

I have noticed that since I joined many of the members that I looked up to are no longer here. I'm not experienced enough to replace them and admit that I find many of the threads started frustrate me. I'm sure that I frustrate senior members with my threads as well though. I'm not sure what the time frame is for retaining members here but, it would be nice if there were a way to retain members. As for members who annoy me with questions which I deem to be stupid, I just use the ignore function for that member.

 

[Overread]

I would say many we "lose" are not so much lost, but the fact that TPF is a very generalist forum for photography means that as people get more experienced they start to shift away as they move toward more focused communities. Sites where the focus isn't general but more specific to a topic/subject/kind of photography.

Some also like to shift to smaller communities; where the activity might be slower, but where the users are a more close knit community with fewer comings and goings.

 

[robbins.photo]

I would say many we "lose" are not so much lost, but the fact that TPF is a very generalist forum for photography means that as people get more experienced they start to shift away as they move toward more focused communities. Sites where the focus isn't general but more specific to a topic/subject/kind of photography.

Some also like to shift to smaller communities; where the activity might be slower, but where the users are a more close knit community with fewer comings and goings.

Just what the world needs, roving gangs of shutterbugs.. lol

 

[EIngerson]

I would say many we "lose" are not so much lost, but the fact that TPF is a very generalist forum for photography means that as people get more experienced they start to shift away as they move toward more focused communities. Sites where the focus isn't general but more specific to a topic/subject/kind of photography.

Some also like to shift to smaller communities; where the activity might be slower, but where the users are a more close knit community with fewer comings and goings.

You just crushed my dreams. I thought there was light at the end of the tunnel and everyone got a life and stopped wasting time on the internet…..Now I find out they just waste it somewhere else……?

I give up.

 

[robbins.photo]

You just crushed my dreams.

Ahh crap. I really wanted to be the one to crush your dreams. Dang. Time to step up my game again I think.. lol

I thought there was light at the end of the tunnel and everyone got a life and stopped wasting time on the internet…..Now I find out they just waste it somewhere else……?

I give up.

World of Warcraft. Or something along those lines, I'm sure.. lol

 

[Overread]

Recent studies have proven that not only is TPF part of the internet; but that being online is now part of life and thus one can have a life and be online at the same time!

 

[Derrel]

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/the-laziest-generations/?_r=0

The up-and-coming generation is lazy. Ask anybody. People have been whining about how ill-equipped and entitled kids have become--for decades now. If we don't start making this generation of punks EARN IT, BY GOD!!!! then we will be reduced to ANARCHY!

Yeah...we've heard the same old song for yearrrrrrs.

 

[limr]

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/the-laziest-generations/?_r=0

The up-and-coming generation is lazy. Ask anybody. People have been whining about how ill-equipped and entitled kids have become--for decades now. If we don't start making this generation of punks EARN IT, BY GOD!!!! then we will be reduced to ANARCHY!

Yeah...we've heard the same old song for yearrrrrrs.

Yes we have indeed, but it's not all bluster. Some skills are apparently quantifiably lacking, at least according to those handing out jobs:
The Real Reason New College Grads Can?t Get Hired | TIME.com

 

[Derrel]

Imagine...entry level job applicants are not very good at office jobs they have never held before! Wow!

 

[hamlet]

If you've lived as long as i have, you will notice that this is a cycle. It goes from very conservative to very liberal and back again, its like the waves on the shore.

 

[runnah]

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/the-laziest-generations/?_r=0 The up-and-coming generation is lazy. Ask anybody. People have been whining about how ill-equipped and entitled kids have become--for decades now. If we don't start making this generation of punks EARN IT, BY GOD!!!! then we will be reduced to ANARCHY! Yeah...we've heard the same old song for yearrrrrrs.

I blame your generation! Weren't you guys supposed to ruin the country when you were young?

 

[shefjr]

The up-and-coming generation is lazy. Ask anybody..

As a business owner I can attest to this. I have a 57 year old laborer who works his ass off and two 18 year olds who don't. The youngsters think they should be making big money and don't work hard because they think if they slow down that they'll get a raise. The 57 year old works hard to prove his worth and continues to get raises. Lol.

 

[robbins.photo]

Recent studies have proven that not only is TPF part of the internet; but that being online is now part of life and thus one can have a life and be online at the same time!

Wonder how many of my tax dollars they flushed on that gem.. rotfl

 

[KelSS90]

FWIW, I am new here. I am new to photography. I've had my DSLR a whopping 4 months. I read every last word in my camera manual and shot on priority modes for the first month. Then I bought a photography 101 book and started shooting on manual. After I felt I had a decent handle on the basics I looked at a lot of forums and decided to join here.

I have asked several questions of basic newbie status. I do my own research, but some of it contradicts what other sources say. Also, I find mostly facts and sometimes I need opinions. I get the difference between this lens and that lens, but want to hear from really people their preference and why. (With the exception of one super lazy post in a crazy frustrated state of post processing - guilty :-/)

Every time I post, I hold my breath a little. I really don't want to be that annoying new member who asks redundant and annoying questions, but I also don't want to be blindly taking photographs or buying equipment with out really understanding the subject matter. Because the second point is more important to me than the former, I just ask and hope for the best. (Although it may be saying something about the overall current environment of the forum if new members hesitate before they post.)

I don't usually get a ton of responses and that's okay, I take what I do get and try to research a little more with the additional information. Just know that for new members like myself every single response really is very appreciated!


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[hamlet]

The up-and-coming generation is lazy. Ask anybody..

As a business owner I can attest to this. I have a 57 year old laborer who works his ass off and two 18 year olds who don't. The youngsters think they should be making big money and don't work hard because they think if they slow down that they'll get a raise. The 57 year old works hard to prove his worth and continues to get raises. Lol.

The older man is probably intimidated and the younger man is perhaps disillusioned. People who are motivated and have a goal in mind will pursue their dreams, regardless of the time of their life they are in. I sometimes think about the futility of our struggles and the impermanence of our existence. But i always remind myself that its not about the destination, its about the journey.