I'm out

[tx2sturgis]

Some actions have recently been taken by the admin team that should make it more pleasant here.

All I'm sayin.

 

[Happy Camper]

Some actions have recently been taken by the admin team that should make it more pleasant here.

All I'm sayin.

I was out this morning too. Then I came back this evening. Happens almost every day. Unless I have no signal...

 

[Gfmucci]

It reminds me of the old routine from the 80's and 90's, paraphrased:

Tom: I can't believe all the offensive programs that I'm seeing on my TV these days!

Jack: What are you referring to exactly?

Tom: All the smut that I keep playing on my VCR!
______________________________________________________

Folks, this forum can't please everyone....and no matter what posts we delete, or keep, who we censor, or not, or which member gets warned, or allowed, it's going to make someone, or multiple people, unhappy.

Our best solution was to allow political controversy in a dedicated subforum, where users can express opinions and engage in a back-and-forth conversation about politics and other controversial topics. Each member can 'opt out' of the political subforum (or any other subforum) with a couple of mouse clicks and then they will not see that stuff.

Contrast this with 'Big Social Media' where the censors in some foreign data center delete your satire, complaints, opinions, fake news, pictures, memes, political ramblings, etc, with no recourse...and for any perceived transgression, they can anonymously throw you in 'Facebook Jail'...or whatever the term is now for being banished for a while. "We slap you on the wrist you bad, bad, person"

I saw a recent post by Mark Zuckerberg on Facebook, claiming that his censors on Facebook were too heavy-handed and were going to back off a little...well let's see how that works out for presidents, politicians, pundits, journalists, actors, comedians, scientists, and everyone else who has had their posts removed and sometimes their accounts have been deleted. Ouch.

I'm not happy when someone leaves, but it's like any other forum, or venue, or activity: we can't be the perfect, happy place for everyone in every situation, or walk of life, and we know that.

And we're OK with it.

Good luck vanbrat...we enjoyed your participation here.

You're welcome to return at any time in the future.

This is a case of a person needing a "safe space" so as not to be offended or triggered. I support the continuation of the "politics" thread because it allows us to share and understand the unique political perspectives of van lifers, who are a unique breed.

Do van people tend to be liberal/ progressive/hippie types, which is the likely stereotype, or is there a large segment that tend toward being conservative, retired, or work from the road types? There can be xonsiderable overlap. The politics thread will share and reveal these tendencies.

 

[Happy Camper]

This is a case of a person needing a "safe space" so as not to be offended or triggered.

They articulate their reasoning well. No need to add any narratives or wording to simplify someone else's words. They said what they said.

You're adding safe space and triggered to the narrative. Please don't make it what it isn't.

Example: The restaurant you have gone to for years changed the menu and attracts a different clientele. You don't like the food or the ambiance as much anymore. You find another restaurant. You're not triggered, or need a safe space. It just isn't for you anymore.
It is what it is.

Do van people tend to be liberal/ progressive/hippie types, which is the likely stereotype, or is there a large segment that tend toward being conservative, retired, or work from the road types? There can be xonsiderable overlap. The politics thread will share and reveal these tendencies.

As with any slice of the population, you get those from a wide spectrum of thoughts and beliefs. It's been interesting to read and learn what others think on this forum. As with all things, there is some good and some bad. What things depends on your frame of reference lol.

 

[Gfmucci]

It reminds me of the old routine from the 80's and 90's, paraphrased:

Tom: I can't believe all the offensive programs that I'm seeing on my TV these days!

Jack: What are you referring to exactly?

Tom: All the smut that I keep playing on my VCR!
______________________________________________________

Folks, this forum can't please everyone....and no matter what posts we delete, or keep, who we censor, or not, or which member gets warned, or allowed, it's going to make someone, or multiple people, unhappy.

Our best solution was to allow political controversy in a dedicated subforum, where users can express opinions and engage in a back-and-forth conversation about politics and other controversial topics. Each member can 'opt out' of the political subforum (or any other subforum) with a couple of mouse clicks and then they will not see that stuff.

Contrast this with 'Big Social Media' where the censors in some foreign data center delete your satire, complaints, opinions, fake news, pictures, memes, political ramblings, etc, with no recourse...and for any perceived transgression, they can anonymously throw you in 'Facebook Jail'...or whatever the term is now for being banished for a while. "We slap you on the wrist you bad, bad, person"

I saw a recent post by Mark Zuckerberg on Facebook, claiming that his censors on Facebook were too heavy-handed and were going to back off a little...well let's see how that works out for presidents, politicians, pundits, journalists, actors, comedians, scientists, and everyone else who has had their posts removed and sometimes their accounts have been deleted. Ouch.

I'm not happy when someone leaves, but it's like any other forum, or venue, or activity: we can't be the perfect, happy place for everyone in every situation, or walk of life, and we know that.

And we're OK with it.

Good luck vanbrat...we enjoyed your participation here.

You're welcome to return at any time in the future.

They articulate their reasoning well. No need to add any narratives or wording to simplify someone else's words. They said what they said.

You're adding safe space and triggered to the narrative. Please don't make it what it isn't.

Example: The restaurant you have gone to for years changed the menu and attracts a different clientele. You don't like the food or the ambiance as much anymore. You find another restaurant. You're not triggered, or need a safe space. It just isn't for you anymore.
It is what it is.

As with any slice of the population, you get those from a wide spectrum of thoughts and beliefs. It's been interesting to read and learn what others think on this forum. As with all things, there is some good and some bad. What things depends on your frame of reference lol.

"Please don't make it what it isn't". But it is, from my experience. Those who can't stand the topic of "politics" in any form or forum, based on my experience, are most often (not all) those who are easily triggered or feel bothered or disturbed by such conversation or topics. In the minds of many of those folks, the topic of economics, finance, international relations, social preferences or interactions, cost of living, etc etc etc, are ALL considered "politics" and consequently off the table for discussion.

This entire thread ought to be in the "Politcs" section, not "Van Life" section to protect those who want to avoid this discussion or my comments that may be construed as "political".

 

[INTJohn]

Example: The restaurant you have gone to for years changed the menu and attracts a different clientele. You don't like the food or the ambiance as much anymore. You find another restaurant. You're not triggered, or need a safe space. It just isn't for you anymore.
It is what it is.

A decent analogy that I’ll add too:

The “restaurant” never changed the menu. It added a new dish to the existing menu. If one doesnt like the new dish no-one is forcing them to order it and eat it.

One can continue to feed on the numerous choices that continue to be offered but if one chooses to discontinue solely because of a new & independent offering………
…….the World will somehow not stop functioning.

Most of the forums on this site that pertain directly to van living get very little play. Since the political thread introduction it has gotten alot because it was an election year and because of polarizing candidates.

The off topic & chit chat thing i rarely read or post on because mindless chew the fat chit chat isnt generally my idea of edifying conversation - written or verbal so i dont clik on it. Maybe i should protest and throw a juvenile pout about Too Much Off Topik Mindless Chit Chat!!!!!
I’m Guna Leave!!!!

heded back 2 a beach
bch bum jonny livin the dream

 

[Southbound]

If anyone does not want to see the Political area, and the Ignore is not enough, send me a direct/private message, and I can make it disappear for you.

Also, we have started warnings for any political posts that are outside the political forum. If you have enough warnings, you will have a week of banning. After more points and a month of being banned, you will be permanently banned when you go over the maximum number of warnings. This was implemented as it was needed and should have been done sooner.

No one needs to be concerned if they keep all political content in the Political forum.

 

[Southbound]

I came into this forum because I needed info about vanning. I got a lot of information and found a lot of people to chat with. But now most of the time I come in and find so much going on about tRump and the crap in the white house that I'm out. Just sick of it all

Please reconsider; we are working on shaping the site back to focus on the van living and what that takes in various ways and vehicles.

 

[eDJ_]

Hear Hear !

 

[rruff]

Maybe i should protest and throw a juvenile pout about Too Much Off Topik Mindless Chit Chat!!!!!
I’m Guna Leave!!!!

There's an egregious amount of beaches, seashells, and bikini babes on here... WTH?!

Actually I think I can understand this, maybe. For a lot of people socio/political outrage is like crack. Social media has gotten people addicted, and then it keeps feeding more of the same It would be nice to avoid exposure in that case. So maybe that is kinda like needing a safe space.

Or maybe the OP is just smart and has always ignored the insanity, and would like to continue.

I prefer forums that are a "one stop shop" with hardly anything excluded, and I think the mods do a good job of managing things here.

 

[INTJohn]

Well; talking about something intelligent and or van living doesn’t get much play on this site even tho it’s called Van Living but choose something off topic & chit chat or politics and it gets a lot of play.
Reality is the Political Forum is simply a subset of the Off Topic & Chew Fat forum so the 2 should be viewed in exactly the same light; not like they are different. Neither has anything to do with the overall site purpose Van Living.

So many threads & posts just have nothing to do with the site purpose. I’ve started threads on my Van Living experience per Forum purpose unlike many and many of those many as near as I can tell haven’t contributed a dime in membership funding in order to financially support the site.

Many of those non supporting members seem to like to post a lot too but never put up $$$. What is it now? 10$? It tells me just how many who post a lot on this site - basically about nothing - and they contribute nothing financially. Won’t even contribute 10$ and that speaks volumes as to how much those persons value this site. They don’t value it at all! But they want their voice & complaints heard. Effing hypocrisy.

I contributed my 300$ to help fund the overhead on keeping a site like this going. I’ve also contributed threads & posts in a positive light.

There that’s my
INTJohn

 

[Happy Camper]

All good points. But in all fairness to the OP, they clearly stated their reasoning, and made a decision based on it. That's the way life works.

I choose to read the threads I have posted in if they get a reply. Every so often I'll check the main sections and post on threads that interest me. Others might interest me, but the conversation might have run it's course and there isn't a reason to revive the thread.

Having come to this forum many years ago when it was more active, the evolution has been interesting. I keep coming because I find it still has some of the feeling of previous incarnations. And over those years I gained a lot of knowledge regarding the forums main subject matter, and felt a sense of obligation to keep the site active, as two l traffic had slowed down since it was sold. There are definitely some very knowledgeable active members, but the knowledge drain was significant at that time.

This forum has a unique ambiance to it, and I appreciate the members here. Even the ones I don't agree with in some areas. We're all just doing our best to live our best life. And everyone version of what that looks like is different.

 

[txmnjim]

I feel same way VB. I don’t come here much because of it. I think we should go back to the way ol Bob had it. No politics allowed.

 

[INTJohn]

I feel same way VB. I don’t come here much because of it. I think we should go back to the way ol Bob had it. No politics allowed.

This idea does not lend itself to site survival…….

As ive written in this thread & others; the forums & threads in this site that actually pertain to Van (Vehicle) Living do not receive hardly any response. Im basically the only member who consistently contributes both Threads & Posts on relevant Van Living topix & experience.

Ive also “put some money where my thread/post is”……..

Look it folks; its obvious so many of you want this site for nuthin($) because you contribute nuthin($) and also hang out in all the Off-Topic stores at The Mall (inkluding Politx) which is also Nuthin as it relates to Van (Vehicle ) Living……

These Forums, in general, are dying from lack of both $ contributions and posts of substance. Many have already died. This one is no different. It too will fade away if there isnt some $ kikt in by those of you who b*tch, psss & moan, off topic” about your every lil bowel movement on this site but wont contribute a measly 10 bux/yr while those few of us who have a real sense of value here and prefer to build something having depth & substance need to wade in a parking lot mud puddle with 5 year olds instead of swim in the ocean……….

Free therapy is a good thing
(is this a question or a statement? I’ll leave it unpunctuated and each of you can have your own “period” at the end hmmm or exclamation)

Hugs & Kisses
INTJohn

 

[WanderingRose]

It too will fade away if there isnt some $ kikt in by those of you who b*tch, psss & moan, off topic” about your every lil bowel movement on this site but wont contribute a measly 10 bux/yr while those few of us who have a real sense of value here and prefer to build something having depth & substance need to wade in a parking lot mud puddle with 5 year olds instead of swim in the ocean……….

I don’t think this kind of contemptuous rhetoric is helpful, kind, supportive, encouraging, etc., to new or old members here, and is disconnected from the reality that the fees for membership here may be more than some can afford.

Or want to pay, for whatever reason.

“VLF Supporting Membership (Annual)
$29.99 per year”

If this forum valued only those who could pay for membership, they would structure it that way.

If you’ve never lived hand to mouth, you are very fortunate, but regardless you would benefit from rethinking your attitude about others here who you seem to judge and hold in contempt.

 

[rruff]

If you’ve never lived hand to mouth, you are very fortunate

I was going to reply, but think we are getting OT. Funding for the site could be an important topic, but it has nothing to do with the OP's reason for leaving, rather it's the content.

And on that note, I think there is plenty of good info here and people willing to share their experience. One big change I've noticed in the last few years though, is that the "Travel Log", "Reviews", detailed "How-to", type of content has largely moved from postings on forums, to youtube videos... where people can actually get paid for good content. That's basically where Bob went himself!

And also... pretty much everything imaginable regarding every aspect of vagabonding has been discussed multiple times. When it was "new", general info was a much more pertinent topic.

So... this forum and similar ones, become more about "what's new?"... and since there is very little new on a daily basis that pertains to vagabonding directly, it seems more like "what's up?"... random topics posted by people who happen to have a shared interest in vagabonding. And that includes politics and controversy.

I'm cool with that.

 

[WanderingRose]

Certainly OT, but the topic of some posters not becoming “members” needed to be responded to.

I think we could help preserve the intent of this forum by responding to threads, particularly from newbies, asking for information and feedback, or whatever else has interested them.

Which many do, but others only seem to be interested in ugliness of whatever flavor.

I’m a bit sick of it,

There’s a lot of collective wisdom here, and we should make a point of sharing it.

We can all probably do better.

 

[rruff]

I think we could help preserve the intent of this forum by responding to threads, particularly from newbies, asking for information and feedback, or whatever else has interested them.

You really think that's been lacking? I haven't had that impression.

 

[WanderingRose]

It’s lacking by some of the most prolific antagonizers, absolutely.