46 replies to this topic

[David]

I could do the Midlands or North. Overall I guess it's just a case of seeing how many people would be interested in a society like this. Does anyone keep in touch with former members/active posters? If so give people a nudge  

[Gp01]

Would it be a good idea to start a post on the fb page too

[Gp01]

Would be cool if we could get a guest speaker to someone like Ron Lancaster sure that would encourage more people to be interested 

[David]

Two good suggestions I don't use facebook much myself as it gets me down, but yeah it's a good platform. I guess at the moment it's just a question of seeing if people are interested in getting the society up and running once more. So if anyone is reading this, give a heads up and reply  

[David]

doppel post

Edited by David, 17 November 2020 - 07:39 PM.

[Arthur Brown]

The chances of getting a guest speaker of calibre are directly related to the number of members attending, no-one wants to put themselves out for an audience of three.

[BlackCat]

I think we had a Face(ache)book page once but I guess it's more to do with having someone to run it for us. I don't do FB at all and never have so I couldn't.

 

As for a guest speaker, I'd have to agree with Arthur and our chances of getting Ron would be remote I think. Mind you he was guest speaker at one of our AGM's a few years ago. Surely, though that's putting the cart before the horse somewhat; we need to see what interest there would be in getting together and then find a suitable venue before considering a speaker.

 

I'll give a nudge to those other members that I'm still in touch with but I know that many of them have moved onto other forums.

[David]

Yeah, FB is annoying in many ways, I check it maybe once or twice a day. It is good for small businesses, classes (fitness) etc that post regularly, as they can update people with what is going on. But there is deffo a frustration factor to it ha ha! The "cool kids" don't seem to use it much now. I personally wouldn't want to admin a facebook page as it can get me stressed/depressed.

And yea, I think at the moment it makes sense to think about a basic restart, get a few people together and decide what is what. You are right really though, I think most people at the moment who post at all are posting elsewhere. Also quite a few people/shops have moved on from forums and typically just use facebook for updates for their business, and I can understand that. 

Anyway, lets see what people think. 

[Arthur Brown]

IMO it was the arrival of social media that killed the forum here. There are only a few people interested in the science of fireworks and divided between the available forums and social media sites no-one actually "forum meets" anyone else. When this forum was in it's heyday discussions were possible in an evening people stayed here for a chat. Now people wander through asking "what's going on".  The lockdowns could have helped -someone to chat with remotely, but fashion is social media not forums now, 

 

Richard is keeping the forum running -but for how long will he wish to continue? As ever it's use it or lose it. 

[David]

Not to disagree, but social media and forums are slightly different. Social Media is I think more about self promotion (ego boosting) making a post about your life and getting "likes" etc. Whereas a forum is more about discussion? For sure there has been cross over; "like" buttons for forum threads/topic being an obvious one, but none the less I don't think people mainly used forums primarily to get likes, whereas lets be honest that's the point of many people's witty status updates etc on Facebook! I might be being a little mean on Facebook there. 

But yeah, you are right really- people naturally split their time, and with smart phones people are logged into Facebook etc by default.

[BlackCat]

I'm not sure if I agree with you guys, although you both make valid points.

 

Both the Pyrogear and Fireworking forums are alive and kicking with ongoing discussion threads and there is some evidence of online discussion such as mentioned by you Arthur but nothing much is happening here because most of the active posters went elsewhere during the hiatus we had a couple of years ago. Many of them use the same screen name on the other forums that they used here so are identifiable through that and their published interests.

 

I think that social media has, undoubtable had an effect but, I think that the lack of meaningful discussion on here has had more effect.

[David]

 

 

I think that social media has, undoubtable had an effect but, I think that the lack of meaningful discussion on here has had more effect.

Totally agree and I think it needs to be said too that perhaps these days people are not really looking for "discussion." My area is (or was, I'm inactive now) Consumer Fireworks. Many businesses, understandably, want to promote their fireworks rather than get in debates and that is where Facebook is so useful for businesses. 

Just having a browse of facebook now, and am pleased to see the people who have put the effort in are doing well. Not just the fireworks shops and companies, but people I met in my Uni years (2011-2015) are now married, doctors, lawyers etc. I've manged to lose 6 stones, that is something at my end at least!

You Tube provides a good platform too to share videos and give comments, but then again we have "likes" culture, where the most popular comments (which might or might not be the most valid) are given preference. 

Just throwing a few ideas around here, as always. If Pyro society was to restart, I think there would need to be a "draw" that other platforms don't provide. 

Edited by David, 21 December 2020 - 04:11 AM.

[BlackCat]

You're right David, the Society has been relegated from its premier position and I can't see any way back for it unless some kind of "draw" is available. I can't, for the life of me, think of what that might be.

 

Anyway, I guess that that's it for Xmas so have a great time over the next few days and I sincerely hope a much better 2021!!

[David]

Yeah, I guess the draw is that this is a formally organised society, with a committee etc, but does that appeal to anyone? As I say, I'd be very happy to support something but I wouldn't want to be in charge. 

[David]

Nudge!    How is everyone doing? Any thoughts on idea going forwards? Straight up, if anyone wants to be in charge I'd be happy to take a supporting role too on the committee.