A Great Idea that wasn't... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

bilbo_baggins · 11-08-2005, 10:52 AM

I remember starting a thread called "The Doom of Eucatastrophe," which was too eruditical for most and not controversial enough for the saged.

To just sound a little weird but say something that is heavy on my mind, does anyone besides me see the immininent decline and death of discussion on the 'Downs? That we are just a part of an entropy on steriods, rushing into its own oblivion?

This thread reminded me of how the 'Downs was and is a great idea, but the idea must run out someday. All things will have been posted, and we will try to think of something to think about. It could almost make one cry...

Formendacil · 11-08-2005, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bilbo_baggins

To just sound a little weird but say something that is heavy on my mind, does anyone besides me see the immininent decline and death of discussion on the 'Downs? That we are just a part of an entropy on steriods, rushing into its own oblivion?

This thread reminded me of how the 'Downs was and is a great idea, but the idea must run out someday. All things will have been posted, and we will try to think of something to think about. It could almost make one cry...

To risk eternal hatred by quoting from a different fandom...

"Infinite diversity in infinite combinations"

Thinlómien · 11-10-2005, 08:46 AM

But there'll be (hopefully) new members, who have something of their own to add. So don't worry.

Lalaith · 11-10-2005, 09:09 AM

I just did a "threads started by" search on myself and found loads (mostly books questions) with single-figure responses. I clearly used to be a much busier thread-starter in my eager early Downer days than I am now, and I have absolutely no recollection of half of them.....
....but there was one thread I found on my search that I confess to being a little ashamed of. It was in the movie forum, amd it was basically a tit-for-tat response to some guy who started a thread called "who is more beautiful, Arwen or Galadriel"... mine called for a similar discussion on the relative pulchritude of Legolas and Aragorn.
It actually got 58 replies before Estelyn quite rightly closed it down...(mind you, I seem to remember that the Arwen/Galadriel one stayed open, ho hum...)

Gurthang · 11-10-2005, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

But there'll be (hopefully) new members, who have something of their own to add. So don't worry.

Yes, exactly. Older members become worn and leave, and new ones with fresh ideas become dead. It's the way it goes.

I think their was a thread about this once, maybe I'll hunt that up.

Elu Ancalime · 01-19-2006, 11:21 AM

I posted on the thread Southern Elves? that dealt with Dorwinnion. I made a rather long post, and I am dying for feedback. Thanks to Estelyn to reffering me here. Any feedback would be appreciated.
________
Dodge 440 history

Mithalwen · 01-19-2006, 11:40 AM

"If you plan on reading my post, read all of it and give it a minute, or don't read it at all. I dont want anybody to misunderstand what I meant because they didnt read all of it. thnx "

I only had time to skim read your post when it first appeared and have not had a chance to give it in depth consideration though it contained interesting ideas. I would tentatively suggest that your opening comment quoted above (despite the smiley) is daunting and discourages anything other than a full scale response. I know that it is frustrating when posts are misunderstood but I think you may have scared a few people off....

Thinlómien · 01-19-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elu Ancalime

I posted on the thread Southern Elves? that dealt with Dorwinnion. I made a rather long post, and I am dying for feedback. Thanks to Estelyn to reffering me here. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Sorry, Elu, I intended to at least rep you for that, but I hadn't spread enough reputation to rep you, so I didn't. I will correct it when possible. The whole Southern Elves discussion actually is a bit pancake. Sincerely,
the starter of the whole thread in question

Elu Ancalime · 01-19-2006, 07:30 PM

Thanks Thinl?mien. I didnt want to sound like I was asking for users to rep me, but I didnt want someone to reply to something that I stated in the post. If you've ever written an FAQ walkthrough of a game(I havent) the writers hat eit when people email them a question adressed in the FAQ. Same concept. Ill be sure to change that if i want any response though.
________
Silversurfer vaporizer

gralin musicteeth · 01-19-2006, 07:58 PM

NOBODY who has posted in this thread is as desperate for their thread to be successful as I have been for my pathetic threads. I even created an alter-ego to keep my threads alive (can you guess who it is???). But that was then. Now, I just don't care. I realize I don't have enough brain power to compete around here, so I hang out in Mirth.

Gurthang · 01-20-2006, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gralin musicteeth

I realize I don't have enough brain power to compete around here, so I hang out in Mirth.

That's not such a bad spot. I sometimes have the same feeling, and I just love Mirth regardless.

Then there are other times that I think I can do well in Books and such, but I'm not sure that that's even true. (See Signature.)

Hookbill the Goomba · 01-20-2008, 01:37 PM

I had big hopes for 'If This is the Answer, What is the Question?' but alas, it was not to be.
The 'Out of Context Contest' I thought had potential, but once again I was mistaken.

Of the threads I've started, I think only the Newspaper has been 'successful' so to speak. Although, the number of people reading it and the number of people disgusted by it are roughly the same.

Elmo · 01-20-2008, 02:49 PM

Just read my thread starting history! Memorable ones include when I wrote a long slating about Finarfin's role in the Noldor's rebellion, that had one reply

and another about Gondor's role as a colonial power, that was completely ignored, then pity bumped, had a couple more replies and then ignored again

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 01-21-2008, 02:17 PM

Ah, the world of internet discussion: one crushing defeat after another.

The Barrow-Downs has a certain balance to it that I've always found reassuring. There are busier sites out there but they leave me bewildered and frightened. The Downs is home. Fear not about replies: someone will find your thread in a couple of years and restart it. There's a certain beauty to this phenomenon.

Lalwendë · 01-25-2008, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hookbill the Goomba

Of the threads I've started, I think only the Newspaper has been 'successful' so to speak. Although, the number of people reading it and the number of people disgusted by it are roughly the same.

Such is the life of those holding positions of power in the Fourth Estate. Imagine how the editor of the Daily Mail feels

11-08-2005, 10:52 AM	#1
bilbo_baggins Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2003 Location: In my front hallway, grabbing my staff, about to head out my door Posts: 275	I remember starting a thread called "The Doom of Eucatastrophe," which was too eruditical for most and not controversial enough for the saged. To just sound a little weird but say something that is heavy on my mind, does anyone besides me see the immininent decline and death of discussion on the 'Downs? That we are just a part of an entropy on steriods, rushing into its own oblivion? This thread reminded me of how the 'Downs was and is a great idea, but the idea must run out someday. All things will have been posted, and we will try to think of something to think about. It could almost make one cry... __________________ "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and with more knowledge comes more grief."

11-10-2005, 08:46 AM	#3
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	But there'll be (hopefully) new members, who have something of their own to add. So don't worry. __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

11-10-2005, 09:09 AM	#4
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	I just did a "threads started by" search on myself and found loads (mostly books questions) with single-figure responses. I clearly used to be a much busier thread-starter in my eager early Downer days than I am now, and I have absolutely no recollection of half of them..... ....but there was one thread I found on my search that I confess to being a little ashamed of. It was in the movie forum, amd it was basically a tit-for-tat response to some guy who started a thread called "who is more beautiful, Arwen or Galadriel"... mine called for a similar discussion on the relative pulchritude of Legolas and Aragorn. It actually got 58 replies before Estelyn quite rightly closed it down...(mind you, I seem to remember that the Arwen/Galadriel one stayed open, ho hum...) __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

01-19-2006, 11:21 AM	#6
Elu Ancalime Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Anador Posts: 476	I posted on the thread Southern Elves? that dealt with Dorwinnion. I made a rather long post, and I am dying for feedback. Thanks to Estelyn to reffering me here. Any feedback would be appreciated. ________ Dodge 440 history Last edited by Elu Ancalime; 03-03-2011 at 10:44 PM.

01-19-2006, 11:40 AM	#7
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	"If you plan on reading my post, read all of it and give it a minute, or don't read it at all. I dont want anybody to misunderstand what I meant because they didnt read all of it. thnx " I only had time to skim read your post when it first appeared and have not had a chance to give it in depth consideration though it contained interesting ideas. I would tentatively suggest that your opening comment quoted above (despite the smiley) is daunting and discourages anything other than a full scale response. I know that it is frustrating when posts are misunderstood but I think you may have scared a few people off.... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

01-19-2006, 07:30 PM	#9
Elu Ancalime Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Anador Posts: 476	Thanks Thinl?mien. I didnt want to sound like I was asking for users to rep me, but I didnt want someone to reply to something that I stated in the post. If you've ever written an FAQ walkthrough of a game(I havent) the writers hat eit when people email them a question adressed in the FAQ. Same concept. Ill be sure to change that if i want any response though. ________ Silversurfer vaporizer Last edited by Elu Ancalime; 03-03-2011 at 10:44 PM.

01-19-2006, 07:58 PM	#10
gralin musicteeth Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Tossing half-sick between grotesque reality and savage, frightening dreams Posts: 360	NOBODY who has posted in this thread is as desperate for their thread to be successful as I have been for my pathetic threads. I even created an alter-ego to keep my threads alive (can you guess who it is???). But that was then. Now, I just don't care. I realize I don't have enough brain power to compete around here, so I hang out in Mirth. __________________ Where was the stooped and mealy-coloured old man I used to call Poppa when the merry-go-round broke down?

01-20-2008, 01:37 PM	#12
Hookbill the Goomba Alive without breath Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: On A Cold Wind To Valhalla Posts: 5,912	I had big hopes for 'If This is the Answer, What is the Question?' but alas, it was not to be. The 'Out of Context Contest' I thought had potential, but once again I was mistaken. Of the threads I've started, I think only the Newspaper has been 'successful' so to speak. Although, the number of people reading it and the number of people disgusted by it are roughly the same. __________________ I think that if you want facts, then The Downer Newspaper is probably the place to go. I know! I read it once. THE PHANTOM AND ALIEN: The Legend of the Golden Bus Ticket...

01-20-2008, 02:49 PM	#13
Elmo Pittodrie Poltergeist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: trying to find that warm and winding lane again Posts: 633	Just read my thread starting history! Memorable ones include when I wrote a long slating about Finarfin's role in the Noldor's rebellion, that had one reply and another about Gondor's role as a colonial power, that was completely ignored, then pity bumped, had a couple more replies and then ignored again __________________ As Beren looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering.

01-21-2008, 02:17 PM	#14
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	Ah, the world of internet discussion: one crushing defeat after another. The Barrow-Downs has a certain balance to it that I've always found reassuring. There are busier sites out there but they leave me bewildered and frightened. The Downs is home. Fear not about replies: someone will find your thread in a couple of years and restart it. There's a certain beauty to this phenomenon. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

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