When Good Forums Go Bad (A Cautionary Tale)

No matter what the topic, it appears that with time, most internet discussion forums eventually implode. Is it simply unavoidable? Entropy at work? Are the people in charge in any way to blame? Or is the cause linked to irreconcilable differences between the people who post?

Just about three years ago I joined an up and coming food forum. It was great – there were sub-forums for different types of cooking, regional sub-forums and sub-forums to discuss off-topic items. I was warmly welcomed by one of the big-wigs (for those who are wondering, it was a person who has misplaced the vowels in his last name) and not only did he want to talk about cooking, but also about the merits of the sci-fi series Farscape. Our pets, the best internet browser (at the time it was Mozilla) and one member’s experiences showing chickens were all as popular topics of conversation as the cooking/eating/dining threads. It was great – intelligent, fun, informative discourse with like-minded people.

Fast forward two years and things started to change. What had been a very casual organization, officially became a not-for-profit “society”. The first modification was that the very popular bio forum (where people talked about off-topic things relating to themselves, mostly in a blog-like manner) was removed. Members screamed, the management told them it was a necessary step for the society to been taken seriously. Some people got mad and left to start their own food discussion forums. Life went on.

Then the next step taken by the board of the forum was that impromptu gatherings arranged via the site and get-togethers that had not been approved by the powers that be, were banned. Once again members complained, only to be told that the social aspect was not part of the society and we were there to talk about food, not have personal interactions. Topics were locked to stop further debate and members were bluntly told they had no say in the matter. More people left and some started new forums. And some of the previously most active forums are now languishing.

I was one of those who left and while I occasionally check in on the old one, I now only post on a new food forum. But from experience, I wonder… how long will this one last? I worry because I’ve seen the same thing happen time and time again.

I used to regularly read a health & beauty forum hosted by a beauty products company. It was wonderful. There were some members who were avid product junkies and would post about the latest and greatest face potions, make-up and hair goop. I found some great beauty products through that forum. But then, the management started to crack down on what they perceived as discussing the competition too much. Posts regarding anything other than the sponsoring company’s products were deleted. Then the requisite rescinding of membership status of those who complained a bit too vehemently started. And, yes, people got mad and left to start their own forums. Then there were issues on those forums and people left to start even more forums. After five years. the original beauty forum has still never recovered and none have risen from the ashes to take its place.

The only forum I’ve seen maintain its activity and avoid these problems is a baking forum hosted by a large flour and kitchenware company. Why does it endure? At first I thought it was because of the members – a bit older than on the average forum, certainly more mature and down-to-earth also. It was always a happy place. But then a huge war erupted involving the merits of organic food and I thought to myself, okay, this is where it ends. But it didn’t. Why? With the exception of spammers and crazies, I’ve never seen a post deleted by the forum moderators. Ever. Even during fights between members the moderators have remained mum. People have had name-calling fits and not a single post censored. None. Is that the key?

One thing I've also noticed is that all the forums like to think they are totally unique and nothing else out there is like them. I disagree. While the topics might be unique, the dynamics of the forums tend to remain the same regardless if it is food, bird watching, gardening, dancing, beauty, or whatever is being discussed. In fact, there is a site dedicated to illustrating the various characters that inhabit most discussion forums (Can you guess which one I am? And which are you?).

So while I enjoy my time reading and participating in online discussion forums and I’ve learned so very much from some of them, I try to keep in the back of my mind that we are all posting on borrowed time. Sooner or later… kaboom!