I've been here about a year now. I am hardly the most frequent or regular contributor, but I have read and posted in enough threads to have seen numerous references to some time "long ago" when Freeones was great. In fact, one of the most frequent complaints I come across is that "Freeones sucks now," or "isn't what it used to be" (usually when someone is getting on their nerves, which is telling, but I digress). I have seen these claims from Asshats, (seemingly) well-liked regulars and even Moderators.
There is no specific time when said fall from greatness is alleged to have occurred, but if I had to form some kind of approximation, I would say most people believe things started to go downhill sometime between 2005-2007. Let's just say mid-2000's.
Several reasons are given for this alleged change. Some of the most frequent appear to be the OCSM Protection Act and greater tolerance for Trolling, Flaming, etc. with soft (i.e., temporary) bans placed on offenders even when they do cross a line. However, in my experience, most people don't give a reason, they just accept as gospel the idea that things "used to be better."
So I'm curious to know, is it true? Do people really think things have taken such a huge turn for the worse? Not having been here before late 2012, I really don't know, and I'd love to find out if it's true and what was so awesome before "the change."
The way I see it, there are several possibilities:
1. Nothing has really changed. It's human nature to lament some kind of bygone era when things were "so much better." One of the earliest major works of Greek literature is "Theogony" by Hesiod (ca. 700 BC). In it, he refers to Golden, Silver and Bronze ages, and calls his current age an Age of Iron, or the Age of Man. Early Roman authors idealized their Etruscan forebears and believed their own civilization had fallen into decadence and decay, Christians believe things were better in the Garden of Eden, and so on. Anyone who grew up knowing at least one Grandparent knows that every generation thinks the next one is more corrupt than its own, and pales in comparison to the generation that preceded them both. It's just the way things are, and it's normal.
Those examples hardly seem relevant to the current question, I grant you, but the point is, some people could just be reactionaries and it's possible things haven't really gotten worse at all.
2. There really was a time when the FO community was more vibrant, active and rewarding, but things changed, and for some specific reason or reasons having to do with Board rules, a different class of members than in times past, or the like.
3. Things definitely changed, but through no fault of anyone or anything in particular. The porn industry is constantly changing (declining, no doubt), the internet (chat communities, blogging, social media, and so on) is constantly evolving, etc.
These are a few ideas to start from, but I'd love to read peoples' thoughts on the subject. I want to know because, to be honest, it's really a drag. I'm pretty sick and tired of reading how everything sucks, and nobody enjoys anything, and all the good contributors (OCSM's and regulars) are gone, and blah, blah, blah... I just don't understand why people come here to complain about coming here. Let's either hash things out so things can improve, or just stop the bitching already.
There is no specific time when said fall from greatness is alleged to have occurred, but if I had to form some kind of approximation, I would say most people believe things started to go downhill sometime between 2005-2007. Let's just say mid-2000's.
Several reasons are given for this alleged change. Some of the most frequent appear to be the OCSM Protection Act and greater tolerance for Trolling, Flaming, etc. with soft (i.e., temporary) bans placed on offenders even when they do cross a line. However, in my experience, most people don't give a reason, they just accept as gospel the idea that things "used to be better."
So I'm curious to know, is it true? Do people really think things have taken such a huge turn for the worse? Not having been here before late 2012, I really don't know, and I'd love to find out if it's true and what was so awesome before "the change."
The way I see it, there are several possibilities:
1. Nothing has really changed. It's human nature to lament some kind of bygone era when things were "so much better." One of the earliest major works of Greek literature is "Theogony" by Hesiod (ca. 700 BC). In it, he refers to Golden, Silver and Bronze ages, and calls his current age an Age of Iron, or the Age of Man. Early Roman authors idealized their Etruscan forebears and believed their own civilization had fallen into decadence and decay, Christians believe things were better in the Garden of Eden, and so on. Anyone who grew up knowing at least one Grandparent knows that every generation thinks the next one is more corrupt than its own, and pales in comparison to the generation that preceded them both. It's just the way things are, and it's normal.
Those examples hardly seem relevant to the current question, I grant you, but the point is, some people could just be reactionaries and it's possible things haven't really gotten worse at all.
2. There really was a time when the FO community was more vibrant, active and rewarding, but things changed, and for some specific reason or reasons having to do with Board rules, a different class of members than in times past, or the like.
3. Things definitely changed, but through no fault of anyone or anything in particular. The porn industry is constantly changing (declining, no doubt), the internet (chat communities, blogging, social media, and so on) is constantly evolving, etc.
These are a few ideas to start from, but I'd love to read peoples' thoughts on the subject. I want to know because, to be honest, it's really a drag. I'm pretty sick and tired of reading how everything sucks, and nobody enjoys anything, and all the good contributors (OCSM's and regulars) are gone, and blah, blah, blah... I just don't understand why people come here to complain about coming here. Let's either hash things out so things can improve, or just stop the bitching already.
