Where did all the old forum members go?

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The discussion centers on the sudden disappearance of several long-time forum members, including Njorl, FZ+, and Mentat, with speculation about their reasons for leaving. Some members gradually reduced their activity due to life changes, such as new responsibilities or educational pursuits, while others left abruptly, raising concerns about their well-being. Suggestions were made for creating a system where members could leave contact information for next of kin, ensuring friends could be informed if something happened. The conversation also touches on the impact of intense online debates on mental health and the importance of respecting privacy while maintaining connections. Overall, the thread reflects a sense of nostalgia and concern for the community's missing members.
Andre
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So today Evo posted a very old thread of Tribdog (happy birthday) and one of the first posters in there was Njorl, who disappeared without a trace mid 2004. I remember him as a witty and clever poster and I would have liked very much to know why he was no longer there. Seeing the abrupt full stop after over 10 posts a day, obviously, the worst scenerio cannot be excluded, like the respected SelfAdjoint and Boulderhead

The list of other members that disappeared suddenly from frequent posting to nothing include FZ+, Mentat, Zero, while Kerrie, Pattylou, SOS2008, another god, Clausius2, Cronxeh, dextercioby, Pengwuino, apparently gradually minimized or terminated their activities, likely for other priorities.

What happened to all of them?

is there a way that their forum friends would not need to guess wildly. How about, for instance an extra data cell in the personal user CP, only visible for the "admins" where one could leave (e-mail) addresses, phone nrs of next of kin?
 
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I think Mentat's mom was the reason for Mentat's disappearance. He was young and spending far too much time here.
 
Andre said:
So today Evo posted a very old thread of Tribdog (happy birthday) and one of the first posters in there was Njorl, who disappeared without a trace mid 2004. I remember him as a witty and clever poster and I would have liked very much to know why he was no longer there. Seeing the abrupt full stop after over 10 posts a day, obviously, the worst scenerio cannot be excluded, like the respected SelfAdjoint and Boulderhead
There was a big fight in P&WA with a lot of people beating up on him and he left. :frown: I loved Njorl, he was a riot.

The list of other members that disappeared suddenly from frequent posting to nothing include FZ+, Mentat, Zero, while Kerrie, Pattylou, SOS2008, another god, Clausius2, Cronxeh, dextercioby, Pengwuino, apparently gradually minimized or terminated their activities, likely for other priorities.
Kerrie had another baby and decided she no longer had enough time. Penqwuino got a girlfriend and got too busy. Clausius2 moved to CA for a while to pursue his degree, I've seen him pop in a couple of times. Dextercioby moved back home to his girlfriend and said he'd have little or no internet access.

is there a way that their forum friends would not need to guess wildly. How about, for instance an extra data cell in the personal user CP, only visible for the "admins" where one could leave (e-mail) addresses, phone nrs of next of kin?
People can list their website, their Instant Messaging info, e-mail address, etc...in their profile.
 
Ivan Seeking said:
I think Mentat's mom was the reason for Mentat's disappearance. He was young and spending far too much time here.

I could think of worse things a young person could be spending too much time with on the internet. :rolleyes:
 
I have contact with Clausius2, and I try to see him whenever I go to the west coast. He's very busy with his PhD research.
 
Thanks for clearing that all up.

Evo said:
People can list their website, their Instant Messaging info, e-mail address, etc...in their profile.

Certainly, but that might feel like infringing upon ones privacy. Besides, what point would it be, trying an e-mail address or web page of the owner is no longer around to reply?

What you'd need is a safe locker to stow away priviliged information like a phone nr or a snail maill address, only accessable by trusted ones and to be used only for this objective.
 
Kurdt said:
I could think of worse things a young person could be spending too much time with on the internet. :rolleyes:

Agreed, but his post rate was nearly legendary. He was probably neglecting his studies. And it's not healthy for anyone to engage in hostile debates all day every day - it was a lot wilder around here back then.

I've limited my own activity by making my point and getting out; or at least by keeping my debates limited to one or two threads for a finite period of time. I too got sucked in too much for a time. Now I just play hit and run all day. :biggrin:
 
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Yes I would agree that's unhealthy. I think I'm old enough to remember the old days. In situations like that I tend not to get involved because I know I'll never return.
 
Whats the story on BoulderHead (sorry, never met or heard before.)
 
  • #11
That always sucks. Thanks for answering.
 
  • #12
If a member allows emails, anyone can send an email to them through PF. But, unless someone specifically specifies that we may contact them if they "disappear," I think it's best to respect their privacy and not try to contact them.

I think the better approach, which still respects one's privacy without leaving their forum buddies in the dark, is to let someone who knows you personally know that you have friends on this forum (or others) and provide the URL and your username so they will know to inform us if something should happen. I've been on other sites where people have done this. In one case, it was a member's son who posted about her passing away, and in another, her husband, and in a third, it was a friend who also posted on the same site who had become real life friends with a member who had passed away.
 
  • #13
I think Patty was a parttimer. She had kids and such for real life responsibilities and I think alternated through various forums.

SOS I think got fed up or busy or something. I might be able to track her down but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Another one, Alexandria, has disappeared too. She was also busy with work and kids and I think she was intending to move away from Oz. I may have better luck getting ahold of her but I know that she had become rather disenchanted with the world in general and discussing just how bad it was.
 
  • #14
Cronxeh was very cool, how about him?
 

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