So I noticed that I have almost 400 posts, not a lot really for a busy board and it got me thinking about my place here. I have modded for some messageboards and just been a prolific poster on others and I usually made friends and felt like I made a bit of an impact. I never felt that like that about this board though. It could be the size I guess, this is definitely the largest board I’ve been on. It might be that I haven’t invested much of myself here though a few people have recognized me from Murmurs.com (hi feaks ).
When I post I sometimes secretly wonder " Does anyone see my name and think ‘Oh there’s Mr Jim posting I should go read it’?". Don’t get me wrong I like the anonymity, it’s one of the chief reasons I do come back but I just sometimes wonder if anyone else notices.
Oh please don’t answer my rambling musings I just wanted to see if anyone else had these feelings? Do you ever wonder how you fit into the SDMB?
I wouldn’t say I’ve made an impact… but I’ve definitely contributed to the board in my own little way. I doubt anyone has me on their must-read list, but that’s fine with me. I enjoy reading the threads, and I chime in when I have something to say. If people enjoy my posts, that’s just a bonus - I post here because I like to.
I don’t think that I have made an impact on the boards themselves; the SDMB is just too big for me to do that.* I do think that I occasionally provide someone with information, insight or whatever that is helpful to them. I help with some issues, not with the boards overall.
I can think of a few who have made a diference to the SDMB, but these people post regularly, have knowledge that is consistently of use to others, have been in an advisory or moderator role and have demonstrably shown themselves to be good folks. I’m not saying that these people are somehow better than the rest of us. They just had the opportunity to give of themselves, took it and it worked.
*Of course, this user name probably doesn’t help with my image. :rolleyes:
I mainly post in threads about art or European vacations (especially Italy), and I like to think I’ve made some impact in those threads–maybe I’ve helped some Dopers identify a painting, or plan their itinerary for Rome and Florence (etc.). And I’ll admit to feeling a childish glee when a longtime Doper compliments a post of mine (I can think of at least three or so occasions–not many more–when someone has commented “great post” or something similar after something I’ve said).
But I don’t expect many Dopers will look at my name and say “hey, that’s the art/Italy travel guy that wrote that great post in that GD thread!” (notwithstanding the fact that I almost never venture into GD). Though I’d be pleasantly surprised if they did.
I’ve made friends, attended a Doper wedding as best man, and lived with two different Doper couples in my two years here so I sould say my presence has been noticed although I don’t think I’ve made an impact, whatever that may mean.
Even doing all that and being told by random people both here (ShibbOleth most recently) and in chat (by **ava **a few days ago) that they recognize me, I still occasionally wonder about my “standing”, for lack of a better term.
Then I tell myself I’m a loser for even thinking about it and go on about my day.
Well, to judge by the snide comments about my sartorial splendor at the last SurfDope, I’d say I have made quite an impact, if only on the eyeballs of those in attendence.
I think I have given some good information to people, albeit in a barely comprehesible manner. I don’t think anyone remembers where it came from or who I am. I try not to get into any confrontations. I come here for fun. Confrontations are work(sometimes literally). Thats probably why I’m under the radar. As for my impact, how much hamster food does $4.95 buy?
Take the last ten posters in this thread, and for each, note how much name recognition they have, and what your overall impression of them is. No going back looking at their posts, and understand that unless Name recognition is high, impressions may be based on mis-rememberances.
For me, I’ve been here a little over a year, but only contributing since March. Silenus: NameRec: Low, Impression: not enough data Mr. Blue Sky: NameRec: Medium, Impression: reasonable, funny Aesiron: NameRec: Medium, Impression: vaguely remember some posts Skopo: NameRec: none, Impression: not enough data cornflakes: NameRec: none, Impression: not enough data ultrafiler: NameRec: Low, Impression: not enough data Grey: NameRec: none, Impression: not enough data Master Wang Ka: NameRec: Low, Impression: seems nice enough Aaslatten: NameRec: none, Impression: not enough data Antigen: NameRec: Low, Impression: remeber him talking about his username, that is all
Nope, I don’t wonder. I know. I have over two thousand posts and am pretty much invisible. I am not memorable because I am neither gritty nor witty nor shitty. To be noticed in this SDMB universe, one needs to be extraordinarily knowledgeable, hilariously funny, or obnoxiously argumentative.
I suppose there is one more way, and that is to simply be ubiquitous.
I’m none of the above. (shrug) Doesn’t bother me. Matches the real-life me.
Your username, through no fault of your own, makes me think of the nonsensical phrase “ass slattern” every time I see it. These things do not go unnoticed.
I just wanted to see if anyone else had these feelings? Do you ever wonder how you fit into the SDMB?