I wish to share my comment I left when asked about how I felt about social networking sites :) : gcrush

it is a human condition a human element to seek community. we can create and exist in community in a multitude of ways. Many internet communities at this level have so many limitations to the evolution and growth of the mind and soul. so many constraints based on trying to appeal to all. ( where is the intent: connection or outrageous/obnoxious advertisement? the goal get’s lost when the only motivation is the mighty dollar, the amount of money does not provide the ultimate happiness, it becomes the master, and we become the slave)
Many artists use the internet because it provides them a way to develop a following, interact, and maintain a connection. the personal element that resides in all of us. yet when it comes to desiring to make a living based on one’s art, the balance of finding time to create and also to connect becomes a life long and delicate balance.
Conscious participation is lacking in the majority thus far, so many rants and ravings, the internet lasts forever, and the energy and thoughts behind everything we share I feel becomes a part of our lifetime. I think that social networks are a great way to stay in check with oneself. And if we are ever in doubt of where our growth, resistance, or energy is coming from, we can simply take a look of all things that we project. and those that we surround ourselves with.
many stay in comfort zones, they find the comfort in the same discomfort of others, it is time to evolve passed the ego, passed the comfort zones, grow, and shine the light bright. the internet and communities can be a very rewarding and beautiful addition to our lives. it’s all in the intentions put forth.

care to add anything?

spanks and kisses
@gcrush

DaBomb

Did I hear the word "community"?

DRINK!

Catwoman69y2k

I agree. For anything, there is a pitfall in trying to please everyone most (or all) of the time. The reason for that, is that you cant. Your desire to appeal to everyone actually ends up being counterbalanced by the lines that get drawn and the alienated people that stand behind it.

While MySpace and Facebook are exempt from this (because they always had content restrictions from its birth), Tribe.net comes to mind. It was a great idea and many people from the communities I fly within were on tehre and felt the ability to show and tell anything and everything.

However that didnt last once money got in the way. The hand came down on nudity (even of the non-sexual variety like artistic nude modeling), for the sake of bringing in revenue. In the end, things never worked out with the "cash cow" that the bigwigs tried to produce and Tribe.net seems to have never recovered from that.

My goal this year is to simplify. For blogging, I have InsaneJournal, Twitter, and Tumblr. Aside from these 3 blogging sites, I would like to just be narrowed down to 1-2 social networks. I hesitated to want to shed dead weights like MySpace and Facebook because of all my friends who scattered out during Tribe's decline.

Looking at it now, I still feel like I already have lost them because everyone (not just me) is splitting themselves among all these different networks. None of them really fit us so we spread ourselves among them, only adding content and intention that fits within that social network's restrictions and "box". Thats not how community should be, if you ask me.

@gcrush

I am of course speaking from my own experiences, and as the founder of a paid website community, love to engage in thoughts and concerns on this level. and I love feedback! catwoman you are and have always been such a constant energy and entity on this path! I adore you!!!

-->I think we can all agree that we need to put something in to get something out. What we put in is up to the individual case, however not desiring to put any effort on any level, does not help anybody move forward.

This is how I see it, and would love to hear more.

1. if we wish to be a part of a ship, a ship that nurtures diversity and expression, adult lifestyles and lifelong explorations then we need to understand the bigger picture. Yes it takes hands on work, it takes time, it takes devotion, love, and energy. That is if we all wish for our ship to run at it's maximum performance, which is what I feel is the goal, because then it can greatly benefit the whole.

a. we can add to our ship (aka social site) by engaging, providing content, and sharing our love and bliss and adventures. a ship does not travel without constant nutrients and parts. In exchange the ship can provide a lot of ammenities ;) boundless amenities that are truly dependent on the whole. limitations can develop, when understanding that the whole needs to function optimally. As changes develop, an understanding needs to be shared to help navigate to keep the whole running optimally. Life always happens, we cannot simply think that a perfect solution is established and never requires more skills.

b. we can add fuel (paid subscription) to the ship simply because we can find value in the return of what our dollars are getting us. Not everything in life has to be for free, this is not what constitutes coolness or acceptance. It’s a founding element of what ships like this need. It’s all about understanding the level at which we are at, and what we can provide.

“I often times hear people, many people, discussing their importance by how they feel needed. Wouldn’t it be wise to state that we are all needed, and that the quality of our exchange of energy is what is truly the need?” and should be sought? We simply have only so much time and resources, and should invest them wisely at all times……

I understand where tribe started, and what was their downfall. A ship cannot start out free and then change to charging. I have no qualms with paying for services rendered. However to change the minds of a majority amount of people, is impossible, and Tribe really is a true model and testament to this action. Especially when the switch literally changed the entire foundation of which the community was established, well......how could it survive from there?

I think as an artist, we can all understand, that we get no art without any effort put forth. I think that this is a dynamic and consistent rule of thumb when dealing with anything of this kind of social nature. :)

And I do agree, at some point we need to find the few things that give us the most in return, a site that will grow with the whole, have compassion, understanding, and progressive movements and conscious participations. ☺

Anything else? I’m sure there is….

I wish to share my comment I left when asked about how I felt about social networking sites :)

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