Blast from the past

Here is a pic of one of our first "board meetings" 11 years ago. None of these members (except Sunfan) participates any more.

Left to right: Canuckbob, Spencer, Lori, Hockables, Oncesubtle, Sunfan, Hocks son, Juanrey, Zed and the Postman. I couldn't remember who the one in the far back behind Hockables was.

The good ole days.

Those were the days. Looks like I mighta had hair back then.

SunFan

Whatever happened to Zed? He used to post here and on TOB and I'd sometimes see him walking in town or at a restaurant.

Yeah, what did happen to Zed?

Zed is still around. I see him at the coffee shop in the plaza occasionally. Most recently about 2 weeks ago. He moved from Ajijic to SAT. He no longer volunteers at the LCS.

I believe he became frustrated with all the negativity and fighting on social media and gave it all up a few years ago. I almost feel like doing the same thing.

My first observation about social media resulted in my never participating in it. Way too much negativity.

These forums are also social media.......

CanuckBob wrote:These forums are also social media.......

I don't think anyone is confused about which is which. To be specific, I'm referring to things like Tik Tok, etc.

My definition is any website where people can relay information, news, gossip, videos and/or chat with each other.

So, how would you distinguish among all those in order to refer to the Tiktok type?

Never been on Tiktok but from the samples I've seen in other media it appears the Tiktok type is an idiot:D .  

Social media includes innocuous sites such as Tripadvisor where you can post and read reviews, to Facebook, to VRBO or Airbnb, to chatrooms like Discord, where that National Guardsman posted top secret documents.

I use the ones I find useful and not hateful.  Here FB is pretty important as the state and local governments use it to get out messages.  My FB account is a fake as far as name, email, etc.  I have it set so no one can follow me, friend me, contact me.  

Everyone finds their own comfort zone.

There is some difference in forums like this and what people tend to think of as social media, like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Linked-In and so on. People tend to have "handles" on forums, which aren't their real names, whereas a lot of the other type of social media, where people amass "followers" do use their real names, as they like feeling "famous", getting attention, having their "content" shared, whereas forums are more for the exchange of information, ideas, etc.

I read and/or participate in a couple of Mexico forums and a couple of Airbnb hosting forums, but have no social media accounts aside from that.

There was once a discussion on a hosting forum where some hosts said they look up their prospective guests on social media to make sure they aren't some sketchy weirdos and I said no one would be able to find out anything about me because I have no social media accounts. Another host claimed that was BS, that you could Google anyone and find all kinds of stuff about them. I told him I bet not. So I gave him my real name in a private message and I was basically right. The one and only thing he was able to find was an old business address I had 10 years ago.

Definition from Merriam-Webster of Social Media:
" forms of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (such as videos)"

Sounds like about everything is included. I'm only posting on this and the other local web board.

i hope no one hijacks this thread.

SunFan

What amazes me is how naive a lot of people are about social media. I've seen people post their real name, email address and phone number on internet forums, like they don't understand that's visible to anyone anywhere in the world. That's a real good way to end up with identity theft.

I think the main difference is.. on forums like this, people become friends or at least know who each other is.  Support is often available to those who need it instead of just people commenting to the entire world who truly does not give a shit about them.  Hopefully the more personal groups will not get swallowed up.  People NEED people.

Unfortunately member participation is dropping every year mainly due to FaceBook groups. For these forums to survive, people need to participate and post their observations or questions on here instead of FaceBook. I do that as much as possible.

Many more keyboard warriors on Facebook now than were ever on these forums.

Maybe more get togethers?

In my opinion, Facebook is has done more harm than good so far. Just my take on it. Obviously, most people don't agree with me.

When we used to come down a couple of times a year..I always made sure there was a gathering ... so fun to put faces with personalities.

Ok. OK, as the last barely living participant in the historical first "Board meeting" of insidelakeside (joking, I hope) I'll volunteer to organize the 2023 reunion.

First step - where to meet? Let's get suggestions on who I can contact (while they're still in business)? They must accommodate at least 30 curmudgeons who have entirely disparate tastes in food and ambiance and dietary needs.

Responses please on the Board. CBob will make the final determination.

SunFan

That sounds great Sunfan. I'll help in any way I can.

Yves?
Edited to add that we wouldn’t be the only asses there.