Predict the future of oa.com - Come on nostradami

[Gooch]

And here's my little point in this whole matter:

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