Yeah, I’d find it flattering but creepy.
Which is not to say we shouldn’t do it.
Hello bucketybuck. I understand what you’re saying and in some circumstances I’d agree absolutely. For me, I’m approaching it based on chowder has posted. I’m certainly not seeking to intrude and, assuming I make progress [file under longshot], if I get told to piss off, that’s absolutely fine. Like some other’s who have had closer dealing’s with him than I, I’m just a little concerned is all.
For context, if I knew someone local to me (a nodding acquaintance if you will,) who filled similar criteria to chowder, who suddenly wasn’t about, I would go knock on the door to see if they were ok.
And people are different I suppose. Some might be of the opinion that even ‘internet strangers’ were taking the time to see if someone was ok was a good thing. Perspectives are relative.
I’m sure that you aren’t the only one who thinks it is weird, but that doesn’t make it weird. We have different ways of using this message board, and different ways of relating to the posters here. There are some people here about whom I would the same sense of uneasiness about a sudden cessation in posting as I would feel about a neighbor who tended his garden regularly who suddenly stopped appearing outside his house.
If I stop posting, in the unlikely event that someone notices and cares, WordMan and lieu can probably find out what happened. 
Where the hell is Crotalus anyway?
(As in “Anyone seen Crotalus” )
He hasn’t posted in nearly two hours, but no one cares.
satisfied Crotalus is not in mortal danger, turns car around and heads back toward home
I too hope chowder turns up safe and sound. He seems like a pretty good sort.
If you ever stop posting, I’m tracking you down. Just an FYI.
I have GPS tracking devices on all of you.
Oh, thank god. I thought I was growing a second head.
On my ass.
I’ve been stalking you by lurking at Uli’s Sausages for some time now, so no worries.
I missed Quicksilver when he logged off a couple of years ago. Anybody know his fate?l
I’ve been here about ten years now. I’ve met several Dopers, and some are good friends IRL. Over the years we’ve seen marriages, births, personal losses, and deaths. We’ve helped each other out in times of need. It’s more than ‘just a message board’. It’s a community.
Some people have opted out, and AFAIK they haven’t been stalked. But usually those former Dopers announce that they are leaving, or else they indicate their dissatisfaction in posts and then just stop posting. chowder’s posts do not indicate dissatisfaction. His disappearance is worrisome to those who have shared threads with him. If he’s decided to disappear, that’s his choice. But we care about members of our community. If he wants to be left alone, we’ll leave him alone. But if something has happened, we might be able to help him or provide memories for his family. When David Simmons died, his son came to post and seemed to appreciate the outpouring of goodwill. **Santo Rugger[/]'s mom keeps up updated on his recuperation from his injury, and receives encouragement and ‘moral support’ from us.
Yeah, I don’t think this is weird in chowder’s case. A nice old guy who always seemed to enjoy his participation in the Board. Based on his past interaction, his sudden disappearance does not fit his usual profile, but it does fit the profile of other 68-year-olds who have sudenly taken ill. I would not go along with tracking someone here down in many cases, probably not in most cases, but this one I think is special.
I prefer to simply disappear as mysterious as I came.
Just don’t look in that freezer in the basement :eek:
Reading this thread, I was thinking: would anyone care if I stopped posting? Would I want anyone to at least take a shot at checking in with me? Given how **chowder **has participated on the SDMB in the past, he seems like was pretty engaged and would not be surprised if a few enterprising Dopers tried to ping him to check in. And count me in as someone who’d like to hear he’s fine but not in a posting mood…
I’d look for you, WordMan!
Seeing as how the collective mind of the Dope just loves a mystery to solve, maybe we can make locating wayward members an ongoing institutionalized effort. I propose creating a new dedicated subforum specifically for this purpose and naming it ‘The Milk Carton.’
He may have liquefied.
He was always mercurial.
Whereas chowder was happy as a clam.