22 Years of The Official Forum

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

I have been coming here for 22 years now. I have learned much through the discussions here over the years that have helped me become a (hopefully) better official. I haven't been quite as active as I used to be, and it saddens me when I see how quiet the forums have become.

Anyone have any idea as to why this could be? Is it partly due to the drop in sports officials over over the years?

Yes, as the population ages there are fewer involved in such activities.

I've seen similar declines in traffic in most online forums I've participated in. The demographics is one factor, but another, I think, is that...we succeeded! We had a lot of things to hammer out in diverse fields, and over the years we did hammer them out so the subjects aren't as interesting any more. Some discussion forums I've been involved in have therefore become more news-driven, reacting to external stimuli instead of raising our own.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

Yes, as the population ages there are fewer involved in such activities.

I've seen similar declines in traffic in most online forums I've participated in. The demographics is one factor, but another, I think, is that...we succeeded! We had a lot of things to hammer out in diverse fields, and over the years we did hammer them out so the subjects aren't as interesting any more. Some discussion forums I've been involved in have therefore become more news-driven, reacting to external stimuli instead of raising our own.

With the constantly changing rulesets (especially NCAA), I find it hard to believe we can ever have this all completely hammered out. After 30 years of officiating I still find the creation of difficult scenarios a fun and necessary mental exercise. And that was one of the things I always have enjoyed here

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

With the constantly changing rulesets (especially NCAA), I find it hard to believe we can ever have this all completely hammered out.

That's what I meant by discussion being increasingly news-driven. This applies to a lot of subjects.

When online discussion began, there were questions many people had had for years. It took time to hammer out this backlog, until eventually only new business was left.

The phenomenon's not limited to discussions. I've noticed with new radio shows on participant-driven WFMU, the DJ may have had records they'd saved for years that they wanted to play, and their show's very interesting -- until they exhaust that backlog. Similarly with TV series that may be an outlet for stories that'd been sitting on shelves for years waiting to be produced.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

That's what I meant by discussion being increasingly news-driven. This applies to a lot of subjects.

When online discussion began, there were questions many people had had for years. It took time to hammer out this backlog, until eventually only new business was left.

The phenomenon's not limited to discussions. I've noticed with new radio shows on participant-driven WFMU, the DJ may have had records they'd saved for years that they wanted to play, and their show's very interesting -- until they exhaust that backlog. Similarly with TV series that may be an outlet for stories that'd been sitting on shelves for years waiting to be produced.

I understand that. But I am thinking about new officials. I was drawn here as a younger official who was looking for a way to continually educate myself. This forum proved invaluable in that mission.