Animation Source Forums

Don't get me wrong, this is my absolute favorite site in the world. But I've been thinking, how long will we all be here? I mean, a lot of people here are teens, and will be older soon. Do any of you think that we will be here in our twenty's or thirty's? It would be kinda weird to have a bunch of fifteen-year-olds talking to veteran members in their THIRTY'S! As for me, I'm not too sure what to think. I want to remain a member of Balto Source for a long time, but......I don't know.
What do you think?
PS-I do know that the webmaster is an adult. I have nothing against Steet.

I say as long as l like Balto i'll be here. hopefully....

That's what I'm hoping for.
But imagine yourself fifty years from now. Would you still socialize with people on here that are only in their teens?

I'm staying here no matter what.

I have a hard time staying active right now and I'm only 15. But for me I have yearbook (being an ENC is hard work). But as long as I can, I'm going to stay around at least till I leave for highschool or until I just get to busy to be on the computer any more than for homework (God forbid that that would happen!) But as long as I have time and still like Balto, I'll stay around.

I haven't been a member a terribly long time. However, I am an adult, and have been a Balto fan for some time (as well as being a student of the real history). For my part, I happen to realize that most of the members are teenagers, and a lot of them know I'm an adult (because I've never hidden the fact). Still, despite those differences, I've had great conversations with many of them (although, sadly, with a site that has mostly teenagers and pre-teens as members, there comes a rather large amount of flaming, arguing, and misguided loyalties...and bullying...and even egomania. I've been drawn into some of it because some have not liked what I've said in the past, or they've totally misunderstood it).

There are adults here. I know only of those who, like me, have been honest and up-front, and not hidden their adulthood from the community of members (being an adult and hiding that fact is highly suspect).

You know, teens and adults CAN come together in positive, friendly and mentally-stimulating (and even entertaining) conversation without hang-ups and fears. They just have to have something in common (in this case, Balto fandom) and a willingness to share with their fellow members.

Heh heh...and HERE'S one teenager I have a great time talking with! I think it's pretty safe to say that Dingo and I can count each other as friends!

I will be here as long as the site is here, or until I do not have internet.. I will be here.

I dont care how old I am, its fun to be here. I dont really have friends in real life, so I am stuck with all of you. ^^ Your not bad or anything, XD! I just ment that most of my friends are on here. ^^;;

So, for now, my statement is clear-- I am a BSer for life, and plan to stay that way.

--Jack~MH

I didn't know you were an adult!
Anyways, I failed to mention what I was really thinking. I really don't think it's bad to be friends with people that are older than the majority's age. I didn't really mean twenty/thirty year olds. I really meant people that are much older than that, like people in their eighties or so. I have nothing against people in that age group; I just find it awkward. My opinion will probably change when I get older, but for now I stand with my current one.
That's only my opinion; you can disagree with me if you want.

Agreed. I tend to have major history discussions with who else but my history teacher during and after class. The problem with talking to some others is that they would have no idea what I'm talking about, or they wouldn't care. I talk to adults a lot, but the problem I have with talking to my parents, is that they make me have discussions and about things that I don't really care about (they tell me to pretend to care), and I don't feel comfortable talking to them about stuff I care about because they won't care or, I don't know, it wouldn't feel right. I mean, I talk to BaltoSeppla, and I didn't even know he was an adult until less than a month ago when he or someone else told me either directly or indirectly...

Anyway, getting back on topic, I'm 15, and I'll stay here as long as I want to keep part of my childhood alive. (which I hope is as long as my brain functions normally) My parents thought this site was going to be a "Phase" of mine, and I would "Grow out of it". Teh, they're in for a surprise. I'll tell them that I want to keep alive at least one part of my childhood. Otherwise I'll grow up to be some drone office worker like the ones the Blue Man Group portrayed in their music videos. I already vowed to myself that I'm not going to have an office job for as long as I live. I intend to keep that.

I honestly don't plan on leaving anytime soon, but I'm worried about when I get older. There will be jobs, school, college, friends...it might be difficult to be as active as I am now, and it's probably the same for the other teenagers, too. We may be active now and have a lot of time on our hands, but most likely in about 3-4 years, we'll have other important things to do besides come here. But, for now, I'm staying here for as long as I can. ^_^

Well, how long will we be here? From my own experience, I've to say that I didn't ever really follow a fandom for longer than 5 years. Actually, I don't like the idea to really belong to a fandom - and my personality requires a change of environment from time to time.

I'm one of those persons who think that true "friendships" cannot come into being on the internet. There are a few people who did accompany in my "internet-career", to which I seriously do have contact today. But that are about 5 people, through a timespan of 10 years (in which I was active on communities). The real life out there has definately more importance to me, and I believe that many people see it that way too.

Even IF there are people who would stay at a community for all time - there's still the question if the community'd still exist by then.

Additionally - yes - there are adults here... but we couldn't be considered being "veterans" of this place. Once in the 20ies, you either study or have to work and have some valuable hobbies/voluntary jobs. Most of us get on a site like this one out of accident, and discover some interesting discussions, eventually. In this case here it was my passion for animalia and natural sciences that made me staying. I enjoy having controversial discussions, and this community simply offers me to join them.

So - I highly doubt that you'd ever meet a "Balto Source" veteran who's in the 30ies. Most people will leave after 2 or 3 years, the hard core maybe after about 5. Those who'd still stay longer will simply be overran by the webmaster's decision to close the site.