Oldy Mc Oldsold

[shann]

I've been wondering about something I've noticed in regards to LJ: when users leave school and essentially begin their adult lives, their posts gradually seem to receive fewer comments and become somewhat less interesting to others. This is likely because the vast majority of LJ's user base stagnantly remains young, as users begin keeping a journal

Comments

[eternitat]

I am over 25 (and over 30), but I am still single. So yeah, I do fall inside that category.

[shann]

I really think it would be interesting to do a more scientifically-oriented study on this.

[eternitat]

Oh yeah.

And you need to join Facebook :)

[shann]

I am on FB, probably just as often as LJ (most of my rl buds and family are there). Look me upppp.

[shann]

This doesn't have as much to do with loss of fandom as interacting in general... I'm past that stage myself; I don't participate in online fandom any longer. I observe occasionally to get information, that's it. But it does seem like there's less to talk about if you aren't into fandom. Fandom posts get the most comments, never fails. And people who RP always have more friends and get more interactivity as a result. It would be nice if that sort of thing could be maintained beyond fandom or RP. But it does make sense that a young person's life would be way more wrapped up in that than an older person's.

If only more of the oldies would stick around. Not for fandom, but to interact on more of a personal level than Facebook/Twitter. 25+ isn't OLD, but by LJ standards, practically ancient.

[darkangel_wings]

You make some really interesting points. I guess I still fit into the "likely to use the site" category... since I'm 22. Though I'm also going to graduate in another year, and am preparing to move in with my significant other, in a pretty stable relationship. I haven't quite done all my "growing up," but am also getting there, and am slowly transitioning to be more financially independent, as well as settling into other more stable aspects of my life (living with a long-term partner, making career plans, etc.) Another method of "growing up" that I know we've mentioned before is changing interests... like I no longer want all the anime merchandise stuff. Not that I hate it, but that I'd rather have more mature decorations. I guess it means I'm getting old, lol

[shann]

Same... still have one year left of college (though I plan on probably going to grad school, I don't think I'll do it right afterward), I'm not completely financially independent from my family, and I don't think Sarah and I will be able to consistently live by ourselves for a little while longer. We are right now, but only because we are waiting on friends to move in with us, and it'll be a tremendous financial relief when that occurs. I can, however, see roommate conflict on the horizon as a result. It may be a few more years until I reach that point where I can finally say "I'm a full-fledged adult!"... but it is within my sights. Not something I could have said last year, even

[darkangel_wings]

I'm thinking about grad school. I want to do it, but the potential cost and eventual debt leaves me a little unsure. I'm not sure about financial independence or ability to live on our own. I'm hoping that comes relatively soon, but it may not. But I do agree with you as far as it being within my sights, as something I'm working towards. Which wasn't the case for me a while ago either... it's only relatively recently I've felt motivated to do so

I'll stick with LJ way past age 25. >:D

[sugarspicykitty]

Wow, those are some very interesting points and I do agree with some of them. I mean, I look back at my old posts from 2003 and yes there is a big difference from how I wrote then to how I write now. But, I like to think that's because I've matured so now my writing is better. I don't make too many spelling errors for one. ^_^;

To me though, I read how I was back then and think, "My goodness I wrote that?" I'm not so much ashamed of my writing as thinking that, wow that used to be me, a part of me when I was younger and those things were acceptable to a degree. However, society kind of has itself a mold of how things should be and sadly when you get older it expects you to be more mature. Which is what happens basically, the world changes and so do you. It's kind of the same thing with anime, when it first came out it's animation had a distinct style based on who ever was drawing it at the time but, now not so much so. Everything changes, including those on LJ

Re: I'll stick with LJ way past age 25. >:D

[shann]

It's really interesting to see yourself grow... sometimes I think, "how did I lose that part of me?", other times, I'm just embarrassed :P My favorite thing about LJ besides the immediate relief of any thoughts weighing down my mind is to go back through my old entries and remember stuff I'd forgotten all about. It puts my tendency towards nostalgia in check sometimes. It helps me realize how good things have gotten.

It's nice to know you'll be around, too :3 I think that the friends I've had stick around since the beginning are pretty much here to stay.

[whatsyourhurry]

You're absolutely right on pretty much all accounts here. I feel like I've been at that point where I'm just about to drop off of using livejournal, but I don't know. I mean, not that I use it very, but I just keep finding myself coming back here. But yeah, all of the trends you describe here are things that I've observed too.

For a lot of people, the purposes that their livejournal met, are now being met by second gen social networking sites like facebook (which is just the most current one, i'm sure they'll be another eventually). I mean, I do use facebook in addition to livejournal, but i guess when it really comes down to it, it's a combination of sentimentality and irrational psuedomystical ideation that keeps me firing up the ol' Semagic.

[shann]

It's kind of... sad how most feel more compelled to have a larger outlet for self-expression in their youth (a journal) and as one ages, it is common to turn to more abbreviated, less personal forms of networking (Facebook, etc). Could be lack of time, or that connections with others are now deep enough that an online form of expressing oneself as descriptively as LJ is no longer needed. But, I can't help wondering if it's because emotions become more stifled and guarded with age. I know I still need more than Facebook, personally. Helps me keep my thoughts much more organized; when I write, I can make more sense of them.

Sentimentality is a part of it for me too, I'll admit that.