Inactive members/groups

Hi,

I was thinking today (partly inspired by thoughts I've read in some other Gaians' blogs, and partly by my own not-very-long Gaia experience) - wouldn't it be a good idea to do something about all those Gaia members who haven't actually been visiting Gaia for a long time?

For example render everyone's profiles automatically inactive if they haven't signed in for, say, last 6 months? Or in some other way make it clear to other Gaians that these people are actually not visiting Gaia.

And also maybe to delete or at least somehow mark the groups which haven't been visited by anyone for a long time?

Or maybe to create separate archive pages for inactive members and groups, from which everything and everyone could be moved back to main Gaia if someone so wishes?

I know this idea may probably sound too strong or non-unconditional (and there may be other convincing arguments against it), but at the same time … big parts of Gaia really feel like a ghost town at the moment.
I've done some searches in Gaia, for example, where I have found that maybe only one tenth of Gaia members who come up with that particular search have actually been visiting Gaia at least once in last two-three months. And at least half haven't been around for a year or longer.

People move on - that's natural, and I think it's also quite understandable that people don't want to delete their profiles from Gaia once they have stopped visiting. But if these profiles stay there as they are … doesn't it turn a big part of Gaia more and more into the collection of past members, past discussions, past activities … ?

Thanks,
Happiness to you all,  
Damian

Re: Inactive members/groups

Well, when the site was started, we did hope that it would be a repository of wisdom and an archive of an emergence… so in some ways I don't mind terribly that this is coming true. :)

Also, don't ever be shy about messaging absent members or leaving a note in a Group that hasn't been attended to in a while. The upside to dormancy is that it only takes a post or two to spark things back to life; Gaia is very much a living entity and a word or curious breath in one area can easily bring a sleeping region back to life.

I/we have thought about zapping old profiles (this would free up names / URLs, too), but there've been so many instances of people who've joined the site one year, when they weren't quite ready, and later returned (when it called to them more), that I'd rather keep the seat saved for when those silent beings come back.

So again, even if someone hasn't logged in, don't assume this means they've left forever. Pop them a note or send them an invite! Who knows what might arise?

Re: Inactive members/groups

I had contributed my feelings on this, in another area, (do not know where, now). I had mentioned that there were a number of inactive people; it really became noticable in the college group. I had also mentioned, there were some people who I am fairly sure were only looking for financial support (not businesses). I, too, do not have an issue with this; i have asked some to be friends, as suggested.

As a whole, there is much support and love on GAIa.

Re: Inactive members/groups

It's interesting; because just in the past few days, I've got messages from members who've been away, some on my friends' list and who said they're now going to be more active. 
So in a way I know what you're saying, Damian; because it's nice to know who actually does come online; but in another way; six months isn't really that long; and as Siona says, if you like someone, message them and maybe you;ll draw them back in!

I suspect this is a discussion that'll stay open-ended, though!

Re: Inactive members/groups

I've also linked this discussion to the Gaia Networking group.[Interesting discussion on inactive members/ groups…]

Re: Inactive members/groups

Inactive groups and members are a difficult subject I think. I certainly would advocate for leaving a door open for anyone who wishes to return.

But I've also recently heard a lot of venting about inactivity and people moving on… and I don't really know what to make of it. I have noticed a change here but couldn't put a finger on what the change was. The crowd has somewhat changed but I think that can be a good thing, too. Esp as sometimes things get to inside-y if it's all the same people in the active spots on Gaia and newcomers might feel too shy to join in conversations (I remember I do sometimes and I used to feel much more an outsider when I first came to Zaadz and felt everybody knew each other and I didn't know anyone (the whole online community thing was new to me back then, too)).
I somehow miss the old Zaadz times although I myself wasn't as involved back then as I am now (or should I say even less involved than I am now because I know I'm not really the most active member there is). I miss to see the faces that were familiar back then and that regularly came out to play. I didn't have many friends and hardly accepted invites back then, also deleted many people from my friends list in the course of time but of those that remained through the years, most (all?) are inactive and don't react to my attempts of getting back in touch. I don't know if they will ever return to Gaia but it would be nice if they still could.

I have also recently been contacted by “older” friends that hadn't been active for a year or so and that were so pleasant surprises that I really hope inactive members will always have the chance to revive their activities and/or get back in touch with “old friends”.

Re: Inactive members/groups

I for one am grateful that the Gaia team hasn't chosen to cull inactive members.  There are those of us who for spiritual reasons go walkabout, or due to their living circumstances just don't have access to the internet.  I've been a member from the “Zaadz” days, and if activity were a criteria, I'd be long gone.  Instead, coming back has been like visiting a village I've not been to in a while.  There are old familiar faces, new personalities,  a coming home of sorts.  My house is still there with all it's ratty furniture, and the bats are resting nicely in the belfry.

doesn't it turn a big part of Gaia more and more into the collection of past members, past discussions, past activities … ?

I find it helpful to know where I am going  by seeing where I have been.

blessings from the Universe;

phil

Re: Inactive members/groups

Helpful perspectives. 

I like the idea of having a separate archive for groups that have been inactive for a long time. They are still there if anyone wants to revive them (and then they become part of the active groups list) but would be easier for people to know what's really out there in terms of active discussions.

What do you think, Siona? 

I guess this is more Think Tank actually, is it ok that we discuss it here or should we move over there?

Love,

Nicole

Re: Inactive members/groups

I think this is a great conversation that should be continued in the Think Tank.  I think the main issue is, “how to draw my attention to the people / groups I am interested in reaching…” whether they be active members or groups (I want jump into something that is already bursting with activity), inactive members / groups (I want to help reinvigorate things or let someone know we miss her/him), or something in between. 

Please continue the conversation over here.

Thanks!
~M