lavender
Cautiously Optimistic
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2001
- Posts
- 25,108
Over my 21 months at Literotica I have viewed many things on this board. I arrived at Lit during one of the greatest periods of troll-hunting and a period of mass exodus from this board. It wasn't the first time it happened, and it certainly wasn't the last. I arrived in the midst of turmoil and watched what I felt was sheer idiocy. But, as I posted for the past 2 years I have noticed a number of things about this place. The overarching theme is the fact that Literotica is a community.
I have watched as people shared their heartaches and their triumphs. I have watched relationships bloom and fade. I watched as Never left her home and began college with the help of a great many people on this board. I watched as this community banded together to help various members in times of need – whether that be emotional support or tangible assistance. I watched as people embraced others and tried to help them. I watched as a relationship flourished between Problem Child and TN Vixen. I watched as several women have gone through heart-wrenching divorces. We have seen the breakup of numerous marriages. We have shared the joy of those like Kotori who have lost weight and are very happy in their new physical self. We have heard the tales of women's rapes. We have heard the woes of men who have had hard luck with marriages and dating. We have listened as people talked about losing their jobs, changing their careers, etc. I have seen Mischka discuss career worries. We have watched people like Azwed lose papers and go through panic mode. We have seen people like cymbidia who openly shared her heartbreak as well as providing assistance to many who had serious questions about sexuality that needed answering. We listened as Todd and Celestial Body shared their tales of lost virginity. We got to watch Fly on the Wall's relationship progress and share his happiness in finding a job. We heard Laurel's tales of saving the little kitties and were even allowed to watch their progress. We listened and gave advice when mothers and fathers were having trouble with their children. We give advice about illness, preparation for big events, children's emotional and educational issues. We talk about the world around us. We watched as bubblegumsugarless was helped by people on this site as she escaped her husband. We listened to Endlessly's tales of problems in her home. The members of this community shared in people's joys, their triumphs, their setbacks – financially, emotionally, and mentally. We have shared laughter, tears, heartache – everything. I have found friendship and a heartwarming relationship at this site.
Is it any wonder that people have an attachment to this place or the people who frequently post? I believe it is all a natural part of the community. One of the most tired and frequent criticisms of this place is the "clique" mentality. People bitch about the top 10 posters. People have spoken about the Royal Untouchables. I think this criticism is falsely placed. Many of the posters who have been around and posted a lot have watched and have seen a great deal. We learn about each other, we share experiences and thoughts with one another. After participating in threads, after communicating via various topics, PMs and other off the board communication, we develop a rapport. We know more about one another – we know what we enjoy, what we are like, what sets us off, what makes us tick. We learn to respect one another. We may admire one person for this or like them for some particular aspect of their personality. Most who have been around awhile, recognize the faults in each other but realize that we possess faults ourselves that are glaringly apparent on this board. We learn to like people despite these faults. I'm sure many of the people who have watched me over time can almost guess when I'm about to go off again. I'm sure many of us know when KM is about to have one of her rants. We can probably almost guess when PC, Haze or DCL are going to rip into a newbie or just make a fucking joke out of the person. I'm not saying any of this is right – I'm simply saying that we have a knowledge of one another – even if that knowledge is anonymous.
Just like in any other community, those who have lived there longer tend to get along. Those with similar interests flock to one another. Those who have similar ideas or even differing ideas who are used to arguing about it tend to spend more time with certain people. There is no hierarchy, per se, it's just the natural order of a community and of life.
When one realizes that we have watched these things, even from behind a screen, only with pixels or a voice on the phone, for the most part anonymously, we have a cyber community. In many communities, when outsiders arrive who seem to want to disrupt the order, we become protective of the community and the members within that community.
This is a very unique little site on the vast expanse of the internet. For the most part, it has been a joy to be around this place. But, I think an understanding of Literotica as a community may help some see the reasons that some so actively oppose other members. Many of us are protective of this place and of what it was and will be in the future. We are protective of this community because it provides us a place of anonymous and distanced comfort. This site operates in differing functions for every poster on the board. For some it is a place to let off steam, for some it's a place to just get away, for others it's a place to socialize, for some it's just a place to come and be a little fucker.
I thank Laurel and Manu for this site and the community they have allowed to flourish. I think the way they have handled this site – in such a professional and principled manner – is the reason this site has as much of a personal side as it does. The way this community has developed is a tribute to Laurel and Manu.
I also think the community nature of this site is why some people (like me) get so bent out of shape when people come in and seem to want to destroy the community aspect of this place.
I have watched as people shared their heartaches and their triumphs. I have watched relationships bloom and fade. I watched as Never left her home and began college with the help of a great many people on this board. I watched as this community banded together to help various members in times of need – whether that be emotional support or tangible assistance. I watched as people embraced others and tried to help them. I watched as a relationship flourished between Problem Child and TN Vixen. I watched as several women have gone through heart-wrenching divorces. We have seen the breakup of numerous marriages. We have shared the joy of those like Kotori who have lost weight and are very happy in their new physical self. We have heard the tales of women's rapes. We have heard the woes of men who have had hard luck with marriages and dating. We have listened as people talked about losing their jobs, changing their careers, etc. I have seen Mischka discuss career worries. We have watched people like Azwed lose papers and go through panic mode. We have seen people like cymbidia who openly shared her heartbreak as well as providing assistance to many who had serious questions about sexuality that needed answering. We listened as Todd and Celestial Body shared their tales of lost virginity. We got to watch Fly on the Wall's relationship progress and share his happiness in finding a job. We heard Laurel's tales of saving the little kitties and were even allowed to watch their progress. We listened and gave advice when mothers and fathers were having trouble with their children. We give advice about illness, preparation for big events, children's emotional and educational issues. We talk about the world around us. We watched as bubblegumsugarless was helped by people on this site as she escaped her husband. We listened to Endlessly's tales of problems in her home. The members of this community shared in people's joys, their triumphs, their setbacks – financially, emotionally, and mentally. We have shared laughter, tears, heartache – everything. I have found friendship and a heartwarming relationship at this site.
Is it any wonder that people have an attachment to this place or the people who frequently post? I believe it is all a natural part of the community. One of the most tired and frequent criticisms of this place is the "clique" mentality. People bitch about the top 10 posters. People have spoken about the Royal Untouchables. I think this criticism is falsely placed. Many of the posters who have been around and posted a lot have watched and have seen a great deal. We learn about each other, we share experiences and thoughts with one another. After participating in threads, after communicating via various topics, PMs and other off the board communication, we develop a rapport. We know more about one another – we know what we enjoy, what we are like, what sets us off, what makes us tick. We learn to respect one another. We may admire one person for this or like them for some particular aspect of their personality. Most who have been around awhile, recognize the faults in each other but realize that we possess faults ourselves that are glaringly apparent on this board. We learn to like people despite these faults. I'm sure many of the people who have watched me over time can almost guess when I'm about to go off again. I'm sure many of us know when KM is about to have one of her rants. We can probably almost guess when PC, Haze or DCL are going to rip into a newbie or just make a fucking joke out of the person. I'm not saying any of this is right – I'm simply saying that we have a knowledge of one another – even if that knowledge is anonymous.
Just like in any other community, those who have lived there longer tend to get along. Those with similar interests flock to one another. Those who have similar ideas or even differing ideas who are used to arguing about it tend to spend more time with certain people. There is no hierarchy, per se, it's just the natural order of a community and of life.
When one realizes that we have watched these things, even from behind a screen, only with pixels or a voice on the phone, for the most part anonymously, we have a cyber community. In many communities, when outsiders arrive who seem to want to disrupt the order, we become protective of the community and the members within that community.
This is a very unique little site on the vast expanse of the internet. For the most part, it has been a joy to be around this place. But, I think an understanding of Literotica as a community may help some see the reasons that some so actively oppose other members. Many of us are protective of this place and of what it was and will be in the future. We are protective of this community because it provides us a place of anonymous and distanced comfort. This site operates in differing functions for every poster on the board. For some it is a place to let off steam, for some it's a place to just get away, for others it's a place to socialize, for some it's just a place to come and be a little fucker.
I thank Laurel and Manu for this site and the community they have allowed to flourish. I think the way they have handled this site – in such a professional and principled manner – is the reason this site has as much of a personal side as it does. The way this community has developed is a tribute to Laurel and Manu.
I also think the community nature of this site is why some people (like me) get so bent out of shape when people come in and seem to want to destroy the community aspect of this place.
lit and agree with everything lavender said ... i think you can really feel the spirit of laurel and manu in lit ... they have shaped this whole forum without leading it but letting it grow naturally
