Are 'Social Networks' reducing web traffic and demand for UseNet and Moderated Subject Forums?
As entities like Facebook, SnapChat, and Twitter gain users, I've noticed two disappointing trends on both
UseNet groups and specific topic oriented moderated groups:
1) Especially on Usenet - the amount of non-topic-related chatter - 'smut' for lack of better term.
A good example: alt.home.repair - completely over-run in the last five years by political attack threads and sexual innuendo. Only about one in ten threads in there has anything remotely to do with home repair, such as a broken washing machine or replacing drafty windows.
The same, unfortunately, on rec.autos.tech. A question about tires or a slipping transmission goes for weeks without even a single reply!
2) On both Usenet and in moderated subject groups: a steepening decline in new threads, and, less frequent response to new questions and existing threads.
Specific to A.F.: I see fewer and fewer new topic alerts within the sub-forums of this organization, or notices of new replies. I just don't feel the need to share my car issues on Facebook or such, where I will get a thousand different suggestions from a thousand so-called 'experts', and the whole thing will ultimately devolve into arguments, namecalling, and someone getting 'unfriended'. I no longer frequent Facebook for such reason.
I feel that dedicated subject newsgroups and moderated subject groups exist for a good reason, and fill a role that no shallow social network could ever hope to replace.
What do you think?
Anyone in here - Anyone at all?
Or have you all migrated....
to Zuckerland?
