Where's everyone gone?

BarefootBilly

Barefooters
Dec 10, 2017
7
26
3
41
Hi guys I used to drop by here and few other forums over a decade ago when I started out - the Pose forum, Runners World Barefoot forum etc... I notice all my old haunts have either gone or are really quiet. What happened? Was barefoot running just a fad on the back of Born to Run? Or has everything moved to Facebook these days?
 
Hi Billy,
There are a few of us diehard's still around. I think barefoot running requires time and patience that few people have in these days of instant gratification. Not many have the discipline to start slowly and learn how to run correctly.
They all want to get that 10km or marathon under their belt and will buy whatever shoes promise to get them to the end as fast as they can.
I found the Pose running books very good and they helped with my technique and I still try to do the drills when I have the time.

Regards

Neil
 
Probably hype, but at least you still have us! :barefoot:
 
I don't think it is a barefoot running issue. Most of the forums I have participated in are down to the last few people or have closed. My opinion is that most people have moved towards the popular social media instead of forums. It's a shame because I think forums are more socially inclusive and less divisive. Either you have an interest in that community or you don't. Sure there were trolls and arguments but not nearly like the stuff on FB.
 
I don't think it is a barefoot running issue. Most of the forums I have participated in are down to the last few people or have closed. My opinion is that most people have moved towards the popular social media instead of forums. It's a shame because I think forums are more socially inclusive and less divisive. Either you have an interest in that community or you don't. Sure there were trolls and arguments but not nearly like the stuff on FB.

Yeah and I think that's a dangerous game as Facebook is the ultimate controller of just about every forum now. If they don't like what you have to say you can't say it....
 
Facebook blows on many levels. First, their business model is to stalk their users and sell their information. Second, finding and following a thread or having an argument is really hard. Third, it's mostly grandparents showing off pics of the grandchildren. Fourth, they filter content to fit/promote their ideas of political correctness. About the only thing worse is Twitter, which is like crack for narcissists ... I won't do either one.
 
Facebook blows on many levels. First, their business model is to stalk their users and sell their information. Second, finding and following a thread or having an argument is really hard. Third, it's mostly grandparents showing off pics of the grandchildren. Fourth, they filter content to fit/promote their ideas of political correctness. About the only thing worse is Twitter, which is like crack for narcissists ... I won't do either one.

Agreed!
 
I don't think it is a barefoot running issue. Most of the forums I have participated in are down to the last few people or have closed. My opinion is that most people have moved towards the popular social media instead of forums. It's a shame because I think forums are more socially inclusive and less divisive. Either you have an interest in that community or you don't. Sure there were trolls and arguments but not nearly like the stuff on FB.

I agree, I think this is the answer. On Facebook there are a lot of barefoot communities, in many languages too. But I don't like Facebook either, I deleted my account a good while ago. I hope at some point someone invents some good non-corporate social media technology.
 
This forum was really fun back then. I've also watched several loved forums slowly whither and die. A lot of it is because of the in-your-face nature of social issues now. When I come to a running forum I want to talk about running stuff. I don't want to be bombarded with the latest social justice issue of the week. I get enough of that everywhere else.

I started out on the original Runners World forum. A lot of funny characters that I miss keeping up with. I often wonder where everybody's at. I remember the people, but not always the screen names.

Barefoot running was msotly unknown before that time. We brave few forged a path into the public consciousness, and even though the popularity isn't what it once was, it didn't die completely. It's here to stay, even if it's a small part of the running community.
 
This forum was really fun back then. I've also watched several loved forums slowly whither and die. A lot of it is because of the in-your-face nature of social issues now. When I come to a running forum I want to talk about running stuff. I don't want to be bombarded with the latest social justice issue of the week. I get enough of that everywhere else.

I started out on the original Runners World forum. A lot of funny characters that I miss keeping up with. I often wonder where everybody's at. I remember the people, but not always the screen names.

Barefoot running was msotly unknown before that time. We brave few forged a path into the public consciousness, and even though the popularity isn't what it once was, it didn't die completely. It's here to stay, even if it's a small part of the running community.
Been a while. Welcome back.

We pride ourselves at the BRS for having a calm, relaxed environment, one dedicated to running, with no hot topics allowed, and off topics having their own forum in The Barefoot Pub.

What I remember of Runner's World, even in the Barefoot Running forum I established, was a lot of constant hostility. That's one of the main reasons I dreamed of forming this site 10 years ago, to get away from all the negativity. We've only had about 4 or 5 people who have ever caused problems or harassed another member in all that time, and they were dealt with. I have always been very proud of this group of people for being friendly and having no desire to start problems. Establishing the vibe long ago has allowed peace to carry on because new members pick up on that energy as soon as they get here.

Please stick around a while. :barefoot:
 
Hi TJ! I'm hoping to stick around. My running life is a bit of a roller coaster. I haven't done much in a couple years - a lot of starts and stops. My wife and I have 2 runs under our belts this week - we're hoping to stick with it. We started listening to the Dr. Mark Cr-whats-his-name ;-) podcasts you linked to here somewhere, and have drawn some inspiration from them.

I actually don't remember much open hostility on the old site, but I'm likely only remembering the good. Similar to when my mom got upset about my kids throwing tantrums when they were little and saying, "you kids never acted like that" and I'm wondering "whose kids is SHE remembering?" LOL

It was all so fun and new and exciting when you started this site, and before that when we all met on the original RW site. It was cool because we were all learning together, and sharing our successes and failures.

I'm glad to see you're still around, and still keeping the forum going! I seem to remember (probably wrongly) you had some problems with your feet and weren't running anymore. Were you ever able to get back into it? And are you still flying?
 
Dr. C is just fine. ;)

So glad you guys are trying it again. I'm not able to run. Haven't run since 2012 after too many bad shoes and failed surgeries. I just enjoy being able to contribute to my fellow BFRs by maintaining their site.

Again, glad you're back!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Random