Galt Wrote:

Keyser Soze Wrote:EDIT: The big annoucement picture was fucking hilarious, bra-fucking-vo.

Yeah, I like how FoundryMusic Jeff was in it, but I wasn't. Despite that, yet another award winning Gooch production.

Or am I the one hugging Anthony?

Sephiroth Wrote:At least turn off your goddamn Sig if you're gonna post so often in One thread.

Quote:But, thanks y'all. I love throwin' a curveball into the "big announcement" expectation.

Quote:I’m sorry if some of you find this to be somewhat anti-climactic, but the thread Anthony posted this morning was as much a surprise to me as anyone. His post changed things, and at least delayed the original announcements that I was ready to make on Tuesday night. I know that it’s been a confusing and tense week, I have not been intentionally trying to lead you on or shirk any of your questions and doubts, but everything seems to change by the minute.

I apologize for being vague, but before I make my public the plans that were formulated on Tuesday, Anthony & I have to discuss a few things. I say this only so that you can keep in mind that there are other major site decisions that are in the works but are contingent upon our open conversation. I have no timeframe on that, when Anthony gets back to me, and we settle matters, you will be immediately informed.

This site has changed greatly not only since its birth nearly two years ago, but in dramatic respects during the last six months. We will be making progress and taking steps to develop the site in response to some of those changes, and to allow us to start fresh. Here is what will be taking place almost immediately…

1. The site will be receiving a complete makeover. New colors, buttons, logo, etc. are all in the works and will be instituted as quickly as the design can be made.

2. In addition to the site redesign, there will be changes in the forums themselves. South Park will be erased before the weekend. Fight Club will be re-modeled. And other plans are being discussed for adding/removing other boards.

3. All member statuses will be erased. This does not mean statuses will be disabled, but that everyone will be given the opportunity to start over.

4. In our attempt to start anew, all members who have been banned are welcome to return to the site on a case-by-case basis. Any member who has been banned and wishes to start clean, can contact any moderator or myself and their name will be discussed by the moderators as a group.

As I said, there will be future changes, and there are other matters in the works, I hope to be able to speak of what I originally intended within the next few days. At that time I will go into greater depth about the more recent events and what it has been leading up to. Again I apologize if this all has an incomplete feel. But it seemed better to at least inform you partially than to keep waiting until I could explain everything.

It’s time for some changes, some minor and some drastic. The mods & I have been conversing openly about a lot of new ideas. We are not trying to re-visit any glory days, but we want to give the site a more relaxed atmosphere. We are working together as a group to once again bring a sense of community to this site.

Quote:OK..here's my take:

There are two...TWO...things going on here...and both of them have created this building tension.

#1: Our voices - Once the show took attention to this site, and began interacting with those here, this board began to become a voicebox of fans of the show. Lo and behold, though, to be heard and noticed, we began to get hypercritical of everything, and starting to speak on a more and more frequent basis with a shrill grating tone that only alienated us even further from their ears. Imagine a Stephanie MacMahon like shrill screaming voice, but as if she was a crack whore. And, they began to turn away. But, we didn't stop there...we become even MORE hypercritical, pouncing on everything they did, and our voices becoming even more shrill in some seemingly pathetical annoying cacophony of what they construed as no longer fans...but now backseat show-drivers and critics. We totally alienated the show that most of us came here originally to celebrate and be a part of. And, we were creating a further rift, finally coming to a breaking point.

#2: Their ears - One of the new things that all celebrities are dealing with these days is the infiltration of their fans into their lives. Not paparazzi or reporters...but regular fans creating feedback, websites, pics and so on. No longer are their fan clubs, or just showing up at a show or two. Now, they can create a space on the web and live day by day with them. Now, to Opie & Anthony, this board was new, exciting...exhilirating. But, along with that came the seamier side of that coin...that they would take their fans voices to heart, and try to please their fanbase. But, they started to let these voices affect their views on their show and what they do on a day by day basis. It started to bother them...especially when they nitpicked on every negative aspect. They felt like they could do no good. Suddenly these fans became enemies. And these voices got louder and shriller, till finally they got fed up.

Now...this is what I see in play to this whole situation. There is no wrong or right...it simply the symbiotic relationship that exists. Anthony doesn't want to be pissed off at us. And we don't want to be pissed at them. We need to step away from the smaller skirmish and see the bigger picture. Do you want to exist at a site that is here to be a fansite messageboard, and be loathed by the show itself??? Do you think Anthony wants to come and be welcome to a site that nitpicks their every fuckin move???

The problem with the "new media" is there needs to be a compromise in attituides and the way we carry ourselves. We affect the show...anyone can see that. And the show affects us. What you all must ask yourself is WHAT ARE YOU HERE FOR. You need to ask ourself if you are going to sit on a fuckin hill and lob stones...well you are not welcome by the show, and ultimately, my guess is, you are not going to be welcome here. And maybe you don't belong here, b/c perhaps you've forgotten your place as a FAN. That's right folks...you are all just fans. You are not unique snowflakes and junior proudcers and radio personalities. If that's your deal, then you should be trying to attain those dreams rather than shooting down the show you listen to.

Now we all can say...well, why are they letting us get to them?!?!?!

Look at the title of this board. The name on the website. It IS about them. And if it has become about something else...well, perhaps you should question why you are here.

Utlimately, the show must come to the realization that we are fans, and take our voice with a grain of salt...not use it to salt wounds. But moreover, we need to understand how we look and present ourselves, and how we are perceived. Because, it isn't up to them to change...it's up to us.

That my take on it anyway. I hope I made some sense

Quote:I'm soooooo there.

Quote:Seriously, I won't be returning unless the issues that Maynard, myself, and Arthur brought up are addressed. I'm sure they will be really broken up about that. Theres no reason for me to return when I have everything I want in a message board here

Keyser Soze Wrote:Seriously, I won't be returning unless the issues that Maynard, myself, and Arthur brought up are addressed. I'm sure they will be really broken up about that. Theres no reason for me to return when I have everything I want in a message board here. The best posters in a free enviorment with ubercool moderators. Who could ask for anything more?