I'm just going to think out loud here. My answer, if you just want to read that, is the third from last paragraph.
I don't have much of an opinion on it, to be honest. Things changed a lot since I came here, even though at the same time, they haven't. For example, I used to get really, really worked up with anything that happened here back when I first made moderator. I would punish people for the tiniest of mistakes, regardless of them having prior circumstances with breaking the rules. Back then I just thought I was more of the strict members of the staff. Now I just look back at it, laugh, and realize most of it was because I was bored with an inactive forum and looked for things to do. When it comes to modding now, I don't take it as "serious business" like I used to. I didn't have much to do in my life back then, so I guess PC just filled the void of boredom.
Strangely enough, before I joined PC, I was socially inept for the most part. I became addicted to it after a few months and spent most of my time on it. I met people right off the bat and became friends with them quickly. It was nice. I noticed my socializing skills were also improving after spending so much time here. That's probably one of the most awkward things I thought would have happened, since usually if you spent all your time behind a computer, you become more of a hermit.
Umm... I'm getting off track. PC is... a forum. It's filled with great people and some nice experiences, but PC isn't going to live on forever in my opinion. Sure, it may last forever, but as far as my being here it isn't. Don't take that as me saying "When I leave, PC will die," because I'm not saying that at all. I just feel as though PC isn't important in the big picture as much as the people here. I made some wonderful friends here that I know, for the most part, will last a great deal of time. But we're all not going to be here in two years time. Heck, some of my friends who swore they wouldn't leave left. PC just... died for them.
Sometimes I feel like PC is dying; or at least what I perceive it to be. There are a great deal of times, especially within the past month or so, where I've logged on, took a quick look around to see if there was anything interesting going on, and logged out. There were times I logged on, saw I had a report, and (quite frankly) didn't even feel like having to log in to the mod CP to deal with the issue. I usually got so excited when I got a report, because they're so rare for me, but there are some times where dealing with a report is one of the last things I want to do.
Ultimately, my opinion of PC that it's just a forum. It's just a place to indulge my boredom. While I love the people I've met along the way, and how I feel as though they'll be with me for a very long time, PC won't be. I'm not even sure if I can see myself here next year. I used to be so obsessive over things. Threads, forums, dealing with members who broke the rules, staff problems, promotions, etc. My life isn't going to change if I post a new thread for rules, but my life isn't going to get any better if I punish someone for breaking the rules when I could simply just delete the problem. I won't die if Other Entertainment doesn't increase activity. And a few extra powers here and there are not going to satisfy me when I turn the computer off at night. The more and more I talk about how I'm feeling about PC deep down, the more I feel as though PC are just pixels on the screen. While it'd be upsetting to come on tomorrow to find that PC no longer exists, I'll still have the people. That's all I care about. The friends I've made.
Ultimately, my opinion of the members... I like a great deal of my fellow members. We're all here to discuss a common interest. But, the problem with a lot of members is that they take everything here so seriously. The simple mistake of another, someone jumps down their throat. The simple disagreeance, someone (even staff) has to say something cruel to them in the process of them expressing their disapproval. You see so many people getting into fights and arguments over stupid things all over PC, but I guess that's expected with an internet forum or a group of people, regardless of it being online or off.
I think a lot of people who take things here too seriously need to take a step back from the computer, have a few moments to think, and breathe deeply. A lot of people here forget that there is another person they're talking to on the other side of the screen. A lot of people here forget that words truly do hurt more than physical action, especially since there's no way to cause any physical harm. A lot of people here forget that their opinion isn't superior to any other. A lot of people here forget that it is not serious business.
