Is there anyone out there?

[RickRileyVoice]

Well put Diane.Personally, I actually left because of Mike. Good intentioned as he was, there was no need to answer or contribute because Mike would do that for you. Often he and I had disagreements and he wore me out with his effort to have the last word. I used to wonder how he had the time to put into this forum and others and still create an income. I know that's not the case with me and so I put my time to better use. Please don't take this as 'bashing' someone who's passed. It's just an observation about this forum and the pieces within. To elaborate on Diane's thought, I have a relative, in her early 30's, who grew up on video. She watches whatever she can, when she can. When you talk to her, her conversation is limited to, 'Yea, it's like that movie where...' She has no concepts of her own. They are all gleaned from video input. When we had a family reunion in a beautiful rented home on the beach in Hatteras, NC. She stayed on the bottom floor, in the rec room. She had brought a Wii, and she spent almost the entire time talking with no one, sitting alone, looking at the screen and moving only her thumbs to manipulate the controls. Her only friends are online and she considers those closest to her, the ones she plays some kind of war games with till the early hours of the morning. If that's not sad, I don't know what is. I have put FB aside. If that's an integral part of my business, I guess I'll miss out because I'm too busy working to participate. I don't know how people have time for that, Linkedin, and the other social media that is supposed to be so valuable to us. I believe it's another great way to rob us of what's really important. Family time, exercise time, getting together with friends for play time with things like a tennis racket or volleyball or bicycle or skis. This forum was at one time of value to me and I know the people who work at it, both in the forefront and behind the scenes must be dismayed at its slow, for lack of a better word, demise. So I wanted to offer why at least one contributor, me, slowly became less and less of a participant. Voiceover as an art. Art is not an exact science. Art is made of opinions. I've been at this for 35 years and more often than not my opinion here was shouted down by Mike, as having little validity, so I left. If you go back and research some of my posts, you'll find that was the case. But I certainly wished him no ill will. Mike Sommer was a smart, complex man. One that I learned from. And unfortunately I don't think there is a person that knew him, myself included, that isn't grappling with why he left us in the manner he did. It was sad, and I'm very sorry it happened. May he rest in peace. I hope this contribution offers some insight to those who work so hard to keep an effort like this alive. PS The format on this forum will not allow me to separate thoughts into paragraphs. One long rambling paragraph was not the idea of this post. Sorry it turned out that way.

[Diane Havens]

I agree wholeheartedly with what you say, Rick. Sad, yes, about your relative. That's exactly why I make sure to pry my son away from the computer as often as I can -- it's a habit that becomes a real addiction. As real as drugs or alcohol. (Yes, odd about not being able to space for paragraphs. Wonder when that happened? )

[Dan7]

The whole social media system is drastically reformatting how the youth of this world simply interpret information and interact with each other. As a young guy, who mentors high school students, I see it every day. Kids these days cant carry on an adult conversation, or prepare for a job interview, or simply interact on a professional level. It's sad that schools and parents now a days are letting this happen.About a year ago, at my job, we brought in an intern who recently graduated a local university, and she seemed very intelligent, worked in the research lab and had her degree, but she simple could not carry on an effective conversation, or interact socially at all. Because of this, and her general awkwardness in the office, and inability to understand office and corporate politics and behavior, she ended up being let go.

[Scott Pollak]

Fabulous, astute and dead-on-correct observations, Jacob, Diane, Rick and Dan. I really can't think of anything else to add because you guys pretty much said it all, and said it well.

Wait, yes, I guess in retrospect I CAN think of one thing to add. While I DO agree with all you've said, love it or hate it, social media, blogs and forums like these have enabled those of us who share a common thread in our lives to connect and form some pretty amazing bonds, even though most of us have never met. We've shared life stories, business suggestions and even often gotten work from each other. So there are certainly some very positive results that can come from the online communities. But the problem is - like everything in life - we need to moderate how much time we spend here, or in any other venture (as Diane mentioned). Too much of ANYTHING is a bad thing.

[Dan7]

Too much of ANYTHING is a bad thing.

Except cheese of course... You can never have too much cheese...

[TangentTrout]

Except cheese of course... You can never have too much cheese...

Did someone say Cheese?

[Lee Gordon]

So now the only topic of discussion is the forum itself. We've turned into CB radio.

[BobbyH]

Well, before the board goes belly up; would someone please explain how Scott was able to create space for paragraphs and Rick wasn't?







Thanks!

[Dan7]

Hey Bobby,

Vbulletin has been having some issues lately, and it appears that for a short period, there was a glitch in post editor.

[Dale]

Well, before the board goes belly up; ....

Don't you be going belly up on me just yet.... I still have too many questions left unanswered.
D