Social Networking and Leaving Groups

Are you talking about defections from FB (some A2Kers left there recently) or defections from here on A2K?

Personally I prefer the provisional and the specific.

Like, no:

"You all suck and I'm leaving forever."

Yes:

"I don't seem to be enjoying this place the way I used to, I'm going to take a break. Just wanted to let you know so you don't worry about me."

Either and/or both. I'm talking about folks who choose to leave a social networking group and how they choose to do so.

FWIW, when I personally consider that possibility I think of my fan club and the public welfare.

The "I'm leaving forever" type seem to come back eventually either with the same login or a different one.

I prefer the provisional explanations as well, although there have been times that I've stepped back without explanation because I assume it's temporary and I really don't want to start a discussion about it.

In my opinion, most people would not advertise their departure at all.

Ha!

Unfortunately, few trolls ever go away.
I do regret that we have lost some really good people.
I prefer that they say good bye first, but who am I to judge?

Many absences are temporary. Yesterday gustavratzenhofer posted for the first time in several months.

Once again, gus chewed through the leather straps before they could stop him.

I've been chewing on this while I built a porch in the silent hours.

I think part of the trouble is inherent in our nature as human beings...

much like a child put an a room and told to do whatever they please, the internet is a big, mostly unsupervised free for all.

you are allowed to lie. so some folks tell all kinds of whoppers.

you can be mean, so some people come here to vent their bile and bully weaker folks.

and you can meet extraordinarily unique people from different environs and cultures than your own.

and make friends that you never would have met otherwise.

basically, you get out of it what you wish to. and you contribute as positively or as negatively as you are wired to behave as a person. (and there is some fucked up wiring out there)

the mix of personalities and agendas is part of the charm.

and the frustration...

there are times when I feel like a2k has become less than it was.

and then something really special happens, and I realize why I stick around.

where else would I get the diversity and intelligence that a2k can provide.

in spite of the intrusive bullshit that some of the members try to peddle...

Yeah, I see A2K in a "Hotel California" kind of way. You can check out any time you like but you can never leave. More so here than other sites for some reason.

I was introduced to a2k from a few "philosophy major" friends in campus. I see this forum nothing more than half/half intellectual bantering between diverse people. As in some posts makes sense, while others are a bit loony. I'm always willing to listen and learn new stuff. When school starts up, I'll probably be too busy to visit here.

Similar with facebook. My close friends, who are not geographically near me, always are a tad annoyed when I keep them hanging when school starts up.
When responsibilities piles up, and there is no time to spare, I digress more and more away from any type of social networking. (Being a science major may have something to do with it)

You're good here, post when you can, for brain yammering or personal saying you think,

I wasn’t going to post this but it just doesn’t seem right to just take off and leave without saying goodbye to a lot of you who have been very kind to me over the years but Marco and I have decided not to return to the forum.

We live in a small community where everyone knows everyone and their business. Ever since I started that DUI thread pretty much everyone in the community lurks here and that’s not always a good thing.

I’ve been here for six years, I use to only post a few times a year so who knows I just may show up someday to say hello to all of you, you’ve been very kind to me over the years and I thank you.

I'm really sorry to see you go, but I completely understand. I'm glad you didn't disappear without a word. I was surprised when you deactivated your FB account, so I went looking. Take good care of each other and your son.

Until we hear from you again, Good-bye. I will miss your posts.

Best wishes to all three of you. Come back whenever you feel it's right.

Definately, never let the virtual intrude on the real. Do feel free to leave us updates that aren't going to leave you open to real world problems.