Longtime Loungers...do you think the Lounge has changed a great deal?

[FedoraGent]

Longtime Loungers,

I was recently remembering conversations that I had with a bunch of Loungers down in Socal and up in Norcal about the Lounge. Those conversations had me wondering if the (and I mean not to offend by this...) Lounge has changed a great deal: for example, thread choices and polls in the last couple of years. When I first came to the Lounge, the first and the second time actually...I found it to be a gathering place of like minded vintage people that spoke about the fashion, cars, news of the Golden era and such. Although we still have that to some degree, I'm feeling that the quality of discussions on the Lounge have changed somehow. However, I can't quite put my finger on it. For instance, a thread started years ago by the folks formerly known as Chevalier and Root would go rather in depth into the quality of a certain Golden Era fashion piece, the history, the background. These threads would go into deep discussions that would spawn other discussions.

For example, a thread from 2005 by the Honorable, Venerable and Sartorist Hemingway Jones:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=5518

Or by a newer member in 2005 from the Powder Room:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=3777

However now, we have threads like:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=13483

or

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=25708

Now I don't mean to strike a bad chord, but I've been thinking that the Lounge has changed in many ways. Some good, some bad, but I'd like to see what others think.

So, folks like Sefton, Lady Day, Lauren, Scotrace, Mike in Seattle, Miss Neecerie, Feraud, Daisy Buchanan, Hem, what do you folks think?

Respectfully,

FG.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Well when it comes to informational posts it is up to people like you to start them.

Root left the fold then returned under the guise of Forgotten man.

Chevalier left for addiction reasons... He couldn't stop posting.

 

[FedoraGent]

Well when it comes to informational posts it is up to people like you to start them.

Root left the fold then returned under the guise of Forgotten man.

Chevalier left for addiction reasons... He couldn't stop posting.

That however, doesn't answer the question at hand Mr. Deckard. Do you think the quality has changed?

FG.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Of course it has changed. Many of the threads and topics being posted now are topical with little detail being laid out to the reader. Many of the details have been covered.

Do you have any questions or topics you would like to see covered?

What other changes have you seen?

 

[matei]

So, folks like Sefton, Lady Day, Lauren, Scotrace, Mike in Seattle, Miss Neecerie, Feraud, Daisy Buchanan, Hem, what do you folks think?

While I'm not one of the aboved-named luminaries of the Fedora Lounge, I think that the difference in thread subject is due to the fact that the number of Loungers has increased quite a bit.

With 7K users, you are bound to have people bringing different things to the virtual table, so to speak. With an increased number of members, the frequency of said type of threads is certain to occur more often.

Regarding thread "quality"... Back when there were fewer registered Loungers, there were also quite a few threads that didn't adhere to what some would consider the strict vintage line.

The two that you singled out are in the Observation Bar. They seem to me to be appropriate enough... it seems that the OB is intended for threads that don't exactly fit the intended subject matter of the other areas.

Granted, they're not addressing vintage autos, hat manufacturing secrets or the drape of Carey Grant's suit, but they're not hurting anyone either.

The world would be a far duller place if people weren't allowed to blow off a bit of steam and have some fun.

 

[FedoraGent]

Granted, you have valid points.

Regarding thread "quality"... Back when there were fewer registered Loungers, there were also quite a few threads that didn't adhere to what some would consider the strict vintage line.

The two that you singled out are in the Observation Bar. They seem to me to be appropriate enough... it seems that the OB is intended for threads that don't exactly fit the intended subject matter of the other areas.

Granted, they're not addressing vintage autos, hat manufacturing secrets or the drape of Carey Grant's suit, but they're not hurting anyone either.

The world would be a far duller place if people weren't allowed to blow off a bit of steam and have some fun.

You have some valid points there, and with 7k worth of people it's not like we're going to get tons of subject matter experts. The threads shouldn't necessarily be just about vintage, but I think that I'd like to see more depth to discussions like the old days. And it wouldn't hurt if newer folks would do either a Lounge or Google to Lounge search for subjects before posting them.

And for sake of discussion, blowing off steam never hurt anyone...other than the people 'actually' being hit by the steam.

FG.

 

[FedoraGent]

What I'd like to see...

Of course it has changed. Many of the threads and topics being posted now are topical with little detail being laid out to the reader. Many of the details have been covered.

Do you have any questions or topics you would like to see covered?

What other changes have you seen?

Again, I can't quite put my finger on what I think has really changed, but Matei's point is rather valid about the 7,000 souls on the Lounge and thoughts being spewed. Yes, many of the details have been covered, but to the credit of those that are new...they don't know that.

Hmmm...what I'd like to see? I'm going to have to give that one more thought and get back to you on that one.

FG.

 

[Matt Deckard]

I don't think numbers are the issue. And we've had plenty of topics in the past that were wasteful information. Those threads posted above... those were all started by currently active members save Chevalier who said he got a bit burned out.

Anyway... How about posting thread on your custom suit and your experience having to find the tailor?

 

[Ada Veen]

feeling a little like I've been hit by steam...

Just to stand up for myself and other people who joined in the last year, I don't think it's fair to suggest that we pay less attention to detail or have less of an interest in vintage. Here, for example, are some recent threads by 'newbies' that I think fulfill the criteria you gave to the older threads:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=25994
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=15370
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=26068

And there are some threads similar to the ones you don't like which are started by longer-standing members:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=19230

I'm not saying this to start an argument, and I respect your opinion as a long time member, just, as a more recent joiner, I feel a little like I am part of the changes you dislike, so offer this simply as a defense. I would hate to feel that I, and other newbies like me, are 'spoiling' the lounge for our forebears.

 

[Matt Deckard]

How dare you even compare the new members to the old Ada!

Actually i think you are right.

I think a lot of the newer info posts that are quite awesome are being overlooked because people still go to the older posts with more replies and more hits.

There has definitely been plenty of great posts by members lately, they just get buried quickly.

 

[Spitfire]

How about we all start singing: "The times they are a changing..."

 

[reetpleat]

You have some valid points there, and with 7k worth of people it's not like we're going to get tons of subject matter experts. The threads shouldn't necessarily be just about vintage, but I think that I'd like to see more depth to discussions like the old days. And it wouldn't hurt if newer folks would do either a Lounge or Google to Lounge search for subjects before posting them.

And for sake of discussion, blowing off steam never hurt anyone...other than the people 'actually' being hit by the steam.

FG.

Well, a few thoughts. For one, it seems like the hardcore knowledgeable enthusiasts have either dropped out, or still post but have already had the discussions numerous times. It isn't like new longtime enthusiasts are coming in all the time. The ones that wre here in the past and still are were mostly long time enthusiasts who found the lounge. Now, most new members are new to it and might someday be as knowledgeable, but aren't now yet enought to get involved in the deep discussions. And like I said, the old timers still around have already had all the discussions.

Secondly, many people seem to be relying on the lounge for community, not just to discuss vintage clothing. That has probably come from it being such a long time respectful community minded place.

Thirdly, it may be that the lounge now has more members who are more of the vintage inspired than the hardcore strict vintage enthusiasts. That may be partly from the fact that it is not as common to find, so people are less likely to be the big collectors that we find amongst the long time members.

 

[Quigley Brown]

I'm not finding vintage clothing and hats anymore (I'm not an e-bay shopper) so I really don't find myself partcipating much in that talk (although I should give some advice on what to look for). I also feel at times that this place is turning into a singles bar.

 

[reetpleat]

Again, I can't quite put my finger on what I think has really changed, but Matei's point is rather valid about the 7,000 souls on the Lounge and thoughts being spewed. Yes, many of the details have been covered, but to the credit of those that are new...they don't know that.

Hmmm...what I'd like to see? I'm going to have to give that one more thought and get back to you on that one.

FG.

Another thing to consider is how sometimes when new people come around, the attitude can be "discussed it already, see this thread" NOt realizing that maybe having a whole new discussion between new members is not so bad. I mean, does one go to a party and tell people "don't discuss that, we already discussed it last week."?

 

[Hemingway Jones]

I agree that the posts lately have lacked some of the depth we have seen in the past. I believe this has nothing to do with the new members; it is just a consequence of what people are posting about.

Much of what we see now are in the mode of "what are you wearing?" and "what is going on around town?" and that is fine. I think some of it has to do with the season.

Personally, I would like to see some more of what people are working on. I know that we have some amazing and talented people here who are researching all sorts of topics related to The Golden Era. I hope some of this might be shared with everyone. These sort of discussions inspire the imaginations of other members.

As for me, most of my research has been connected with the articles I've written and a big project that I am working on concerning Venice. Sadly, Venice in the period that I am considering, does not fit in with The FL.

 

[nyx]

As a newer member, I also have to weigh in and say that new members are often told to search old threads before posting. You guys have covered a lot of information in the past couple of years. There's only so much you can say about how to properly do a pin curl set, for example, that hasn't already been said. Many times a new member who starts a thread is politely told that there are old threads out there covering the topic.

That said, I think that there have been a lot of interesting discussions since I've been on the site, both vintage and non-vintage oriented.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

As a newer member, I also have to weigh in and say that new members are often told to search old threads before posting. You guys have covered a lot of information in the past couple of years. There's only so much you can say about how to properly do a pin curl set, for example, that hasn't already been said. Many times a new member who starts a thread is politely told that there are old threads out there covering the topic.

Exactly.

Its not that we cant -continue- to discuss something already discussed. Encouraging people to find old threads, gives them the benefit of the whole history. A lot of times the expert at something has posted a whole explanation and is no longer active. If I tried to explain what that expert said, in a poor inexpert fashion....rather then give the old thread, then I am doing the asker a disservice. I can't explain pin curls as well as some of the ladies, much like some of them cannot date and history a powder compact like I can. Its about helping folks find the info they want, in the best presented manner.

If that -restarts- an old discussion, then thats beautiful. If it means the requester just searches, finds the answer and no discussion occurs, thats also beautiful.

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

I also feel at times that this place is turning into a singles bar.

Well, I think a lot of that is contained in a few threads, or behind the scenes.

Myself, I would be interested in restricting new users from creating new threads, as long as the reason for it ("your topic is probably already covered") is made very clear. New users add content and refresh the board; new personalities lead to new discussion. If it were the same 100 people from 2005, the board would have changed anyway; the topics would become about children, or ebay prices changing...it's all cyclical and the young kids are getting into vintage. Awesome! I'm glad they're here and not on "80s vintage rocks.com" or something.

 

[PADDY]

Evolution...

The Lounge is continually evolving like any living creature. The more members it has, the more it will evolve as it twists and turns to meet the needs and interests of our varied clientele.

Into our little melting pot we have members from different cultures; sexes; genders; creeds; nationalities; ages; vintage and classic interests; those interested in just a certain feature of the Golden Era..etc.

This diversity keeps the Lounge changing and alive, rather than stagnating. But it will also mean that depending on the mix of members at a given time, there will be seasons of excitement and learning (and the indepth threads of 'old') and also there will be different seasons that seem to pander to different needs driven by the main contribution of members at 'that' time. Seasons 'come and go' there will be 'peaks and troughs' like everything in life where we will have our own 'fine vintage' times for outstanding threads, but there will always be a common Golden Era silver lining running through the
Lounge.

This is a different place 'now' to the Lounge 6 months ago, let alone 5-years-ago [huh] But if you ask any 'one' member when their 'golden age' of the Lounge was and 'why..' I dare say you'd get several different answers, because we are a diverse bunch held together by that common 'golden age' thread/lining and nourished by a dichotomy of interests and motivations.

But just like great nations, often our strength is in our very diversity, one nation (of many nations) under one flag

I am still seeing some great 'diverse' threads/topics coming out of this place that have not been covered before and often the passion/interest/educational value just blow me away!!! We have had some GREAT members with knowledge in the past, we currently have a list of marvellous members who bring so much to this board and the future will bring further great and passionate vintage/classic style educators to our membership, of that, I have no doubt.

Of course there are 'threads/topics' that do not pander to my needs and interests 'on here' and sometimes seem to stretch their relevance to the generic ethos of the Lounge. But that's why we have an Admin/Management Team.

But not one of us here will remain 'unchanged' by the Lounge experience and I am sure all of us have changed in some way with our learning on here, or meeting other members, and that is a good thing. My own greatest change has been in meeting many of you in person, and that has just totally enhanced my own personal 'Golden Age' interest journey one hundred fold.

 

[Ada Veen]

Well said, Paddy.