So.. what happened...

[Pattree]

To quote @Mesquite: “It is what it is.”

You can’t make people contribute or cajole them into it. Those who are here and contributing are here because they want to be. Those who have left or faded have done so because of lifestyle and contextual choices.

Bushcraft has no definition which means that no one can be completely satisfied with a particular aspect. Attitudes here have varied between casual/occasional to almost religious. BcUK will pick up a wide range of folk but we won’t be contributing to everything.

For example: I don’t get tarps. Also I’ve been told on here that it’s OK to use my Bialetti if it’s for purifying water but if I use it to make coffee then I’m glamping! I’m short enough of teeth to not to care about criticism. If I can contribute or encourage then I’m pleased to do it.

Thanks for the opportunity Tony.

 

[saxonaxe]

With regard to Forums and other Social Media forms... Recently I tried to join a Forum, not too dissimilar to this one, but found I had to join some other kind of group, tap to talk or something similar? Can't remember now, but just simply joining the forum was not an option. Perhaps Forums finally buckling to pressure from other types of social media or dying is inevitable?

 

[Broch]

I take Chris' point though, to a degree. In my teens, 20s and 30s, we learnt by dirt time - no TV programmes, no internet, no YouTube, very few decent books and no courses. I think this is part of the 'instant gratification' desire now (and I am no better in things I'm studying at the moment) we want to learn it today and be experts by tomorrow. Being told to find someone to teach you (still the best advice) doesn't go down well.

In the UK it's really quite difficult to engage in the type of activity we see on TV or on the videos posted from places like the US - we have 70 million people living on a little island; we just don't have the space or the landscape. Maybe, 'Bushcraft' is very difficult to practice legally in the UK; maybe we just have to accept that and it's reflected in the drop off in participation.

It's also true, at least around here, that post-Covid, landowners take a different view to strangers coming out into the country. I still think it's possible to get permissions; just one has to work at it. One can't just go knocking on a door and expect open arms. But, maybe, that in itself is too much work for the 'instant gratification' mob (and that's not just youngsters either). My point being, within the limitations of where we live, most of the response on here is generally supportive; it probably just sounds very negative at times.

I don't think the 'tone' of response has changed much TBH. When I started on here in 2009 it was still possible to be put-down quite quickly by some of the participants. Others, of course, were helpful and supportive.

 

[TLM]

A slight side track but not down hole: It is a pity that fewer and fewer people learn things like this from elder generation. My grandfathers belonged to a generation when the Finnish "erä" (a concept that does not translate well, includes hunting, fishing, trekking and generally surviving) tradition was still unbroken from heaven knows when. Learned a lot from them. Learning from written text is better than nothing but learning by doing from an example is better.

 

[grainweevil]

...the FB brigade that come on don't bother searching the forum for past discussions and want an immediate answer to their specific question - that can just be tiring TBH.

Trouble is the alternative is someone like me who will always search first before asking a question. And thus far I've always found the answer, and so never post a question at all, and, in fact, have never even started a thread beyond the introductory one.

With regard to Forums and other Social Media forms... Recently I tried to join a Forum, not too dissimilar to this one, but found I had to join some other kind of group, tap to talk or something similar? Can't remember now, but just simply joining the forum was not an option. Perhaps Forums finally buckling to pressure from other types of social media or dying is inevitable?

Tapatalk - it's a mobile app to make access to a forum layout a bit more user friendly on your phone, or so I believe. Usually you get an option to say "no thanks", although likely in very small print.

 

[Laurentius]

" Also, every Tom, Dick and Harry that has spent a couple of nights in the woods thinks themselves a 'backwoods' expert and drowns YouTube with their antics,"

I like the ones that " Stealth camp " on Motorway Roundabouts......

And then of course there is the "camel toe" brigade with their hacks and skimpy outfits, not that I would be caught watching.

 

[saxonaxe]

" Tapatalk - it's a mobile app to make access to a forum layout a bit more user friendly on your phone, or so I believe. Usually you get an option to say "no thanks", although likely in very small print."

Ah! Thanks Grainweevil, that explains a lot. I don't live in that world...

 

[Tengu]

Im still here?

But when Im not, Im in the Iron Age...increasingly these days.

 

[Paul_B]

It does seem to me that 2008 was a good year for joiners!!

I was thinking this site is quiet. Once I used to have to come on here every couple of hours to keep up with discussions. Now it is maybe once a week at most!! However the value of the content can be very good or of no interest depending on your varied interests and POV. I think I will continue coming here but the frequency will remain lower until things start to pick up to 2008 levels. I hope it happens.

I am on Reddit too. I think Reddit has taken over where forums have lost out in the modern world as it is now. Some reddits are highly active others are 13 member strong zones of online death though. If you hit the zeitgeist you will do well. When it leaves you then you are left to the hardcore remainers. On here those are very knowledgable people. However I get the impression some older members have lost interest as things repeat themselves over the decades people end up visiting here. I will keep dropping in and out like all the forums I used to find were busy but not now. Some less so as they are still busy but with political warriors not talking about the subject of the forum unless they can get an argument going. This becomes tiresome at times. This is not here fortunately so I will come back.

PS in case you have not found out about it, you can ignore me if you so wish.

 

[John Fenna]

Although I do not post so much these days I visit at least twice a day (except when I am off in the woods...
I still find plenty to look at...

 

[Woody girl]

Funnily enough, I've noticed a lessening of engagement too. Some threads take off, others elicit very little response at all.
Mostly adverts for kit and much less general chat. I've been here since 2018, so nowhere near as long as some members. But I do check in several times a day to see if anything interesting has been posted, and always try to make a response of some sort if I'm able. It happens a lot less often nowadays sadly.
What has happened to the idea of a challenge thread earlier this year? I reckon that might get people's juices flowing a bit. I've been avidly waiting, and wondering if it will happen.
This is my only social media, I don't do face book or anything else. So I won't be leaving. I enjoy what interaction there is, and have made good friends with, and met several members in real life, so it has made life a bit wider for me. Which, especially during the lockdown period was mentaly beneficial, and a lifesaver, as I was on total lockdown due to health issues. So I had very little interaction otherwise. I feel after this period was where things started to change a bit, after life got back to normal, and people became more involved in trying to make ends meet after all the struggles and price rises.
It's still a wonderful forum, and to me the best place to be.

 

[Nice65]

I’ve been about for 15 years and still post drivel regularly. 15 years ago it was all Ray and Bear, making shelters, hammocking, firesteel firelighting etc. I’ve still got 3 hammocks, but you wouldn’t find me out in the woods under a tarp scraping away at a firesteel and tinder. But I do still post pics of walks, or campervan life and outdoors stuff. Today, to cheers Mark up, the closest I’ve got to bushcrafting .




I’m sat in this hut with the dog eating a sandwich. I have with me a tiny Ti stove, a pot, some Bovril, and water but it’s not a cold day so I’ll not bother with a hot drink.

Also on board is an ESSE3 knife, a FAK, and a folding walking pole.

 

[Wildgoose]

I joined in 2012 but had lurked for a while before that. I was 28 then, could spend my days off walking and working in the woods. Spent a while getting my kit together too.

I now have kids and far less free time, we still get out to the woods but requires a lot more planning.

I have all the kit I need and can’t justify the expense of something new for the sake of it.

I’m on here numerous times a day, still find enough to keep me interested.

Only so many times you can discuss the legalities of wild camping and knife laws though

 

[Machiavelli]

I’m guilty of not posting much, but I browse the forum everyday. I like the mix of conversation. It’s a nice place to be.

 

[GreyCat]

I like the slower pace....

@Chris : you might find people more forthcoming in person because these days, what you say (write) on-line can be revived years later and used against you, possibly in a totally different context... the internet doesn't forget. Whereas a proper "informal conversation" gauged to the type of person asking can be had in person, and when talking (vs posting on a forum) things are less likely to be misunderstood.

I don't really do other types of social media, it's an age thing I guess. Nor do I see a problem with reading more than contributing- after all don't they say that speaking is silver but listening is gold....? And there's loads of interesting stuff to "listen to" (read) on here.

GC

 

[William_Montgomery]

I like it here. It reminds me of back when the internet was a much more interesting place to be.

 

[JonathanD]

I like it here. It reminds me of back when the internet was a much more interesting place to be.

Yup. Can’t argue with that.

 

[Tengu]

Yes, and when you wanted media; chances were it was on DVD...

 

[Broch]

Yes, and when you wanted media; chances were it was on DVD...

LOL, you mean a tape!!

 

[Tengu]

No, DVD.

Like all these new Star Wars shows, I would buy them if on DVD, but now I need to find someone with Disney +...

And my social circle is still using tapes.