So Its Not Just Our Site...Lurkers & The 1% Rule is Actually A Thing

Well, I was a lurker for a while. It took me a bit but I jumped in. And I have absolutely no regrets. The community (and it really is a community @Nick Delmacy ) that is fostered here is pretty amazing.

But to experience it, you gotta jump in first. And the only way to strengthen and improve community, at least initially, is to offer carrots.

So, for me, no, you shouldn't be able to see uploaded photos, profile pages and profile posts if you're unregistered. No, you shouldn't be able to comment without registering. These are all privileges of membership. It shows some mild investment.

At the same time, no, more restrictions aren't needed for lurking members. Instead, the requirements to get that last, enviable carrot (*gasp* locker room access) is clear and reasonable. The fact that most members post pics to reveal themselves in the locker room adds to the intimacy that's already present. You're uncloaked. You can truly say, I see you.

(As an aside- I have to say, I'm still shocked that there are so many devastatingly handsome men on this site. It's a bit obscene really. And that's just their faces. Stick around long enough and you realize that dudes here are friendly, funny, intelligent, interesting, can cook, have doooope interests etc etc. Damn. CA dudes are the truth. True talk. So there's another carrot for you forever lurker- my shades come off in the locker room.)

I feel like I still lurk a bit. Right now is a very busy time for me, so I can't contribute or make as many threads. But that should improve again in the next week or so.

In all, good stuff @Ockydub and @Nick Delmacy .

 

This right here^.To an outsider,the rapport we've built around here can probably feel like a lot to jump into.And even now,sometimes I feel like I gain more by observing others' viewpoints and becoming aware of new perspectives.For now,the restrictions are pretty good.I feel like the more people see of what goes on,it'll encourage them to join in.

 

I'm still fighting for that last carrot! LOL

 

I used to be a lurker and still sometimes feel like one. The guys here on the board are extremely intelligent which means lurking for me is also learning. I only comment when I feel like I have something real interesting to say, which is rare lol. I guess being a lame shy dude in real life has translated online as well.

 

There is a lot of intelligence on this board, and I agree it can be intimidating. And all boards have dynamics and people know each other off the boards and have 'cliques' if you will, but that is just the nature of message boards. Considering how some message boards run, this one is very accepting and well run IMO. I certainly am not perfect and sometimes make mistakes on here, but just like in life you live and learn.

 

I think the best thing for lurkers who want to feel more included (or jump in) is to create their own threads. Therefore they can control the conversations on topics of their interest.

 

I was trying to create some stuff until I was told "nobody understands what you talking about" but everybody liking my posts...lol
I digress. I will start to create some more.

 

Some executive orders need to be made.

 

I am not a fan of building walls, particularly if we are trying to build a community of gentlemen. With that being said, I cosign with @NikR. There should be privileges with membership. It doesn't cost anything to register. In fact, it will only help @Nick Delmacy and @Ockydub grow the site by noting how many independent users register memberships.

I have found this community to be open and welcoming. The Squad Members are all decent guys who like new voices and if you are intimidated by the level of intelligence on the Boards know that we all can still learn new things and the only way for us to do that is for the lurker community to jump in.

We should not restrict general content because we never know who these boards may reach but I think it's totally appropriate to require simply registering to gain access to premium features, threads, and content.

 

Well, Ock and Nick obviously will decide which way they want to go. As a key grip on this movie set, my opinion matters little but I'm more a fan of the current donation scheme. Those of us who have the means can pony up so that all those who can't can still explore the site. This is the Internet so there's people of all levels of means that come through. A lurker might be someone in ATL just checking for sites, but it might also be someone in a foreign country exploring their sexuality and self awareness in a hostile situation, thus CA becomes a digital, hidden safe space. I'd hate to see some young dude in a dangerous, vicious and treacherous hellhole like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, Uganda, or 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue be cut off due to a pay wall.

Speaking of which, the next check is in the email this weekend...

 

It takes to become confident enough to express your opinion. Especially if you had bad experiences on other boards

 

I hate you because of this gif

 

I remember when first viewing this site back around 2012 I believe back when it was DC (Like my name except yours stood for Discreet City lol) even though for some strange reason it says I've been a member since 2015, when I know Ive been around longer than that lol. But there's definitely a camaraderie amongst the guys and while I maybe have yet to fully merge into that it's good to see it's always a welcoming atmosphere here.

What I've learned through my years of being a gay man of color you have no choice but to expand and open your mind and at times you may even have to challenge some ideologies and viewpoints engrained within you from the early years. But I believe as long as we remain inclusive and respectful of the viewpoint and of others we're gonna gain so much knowledge and wisdom from each other