07-26-2021, 11:07 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-26-2021, 11:21 AM by Eleatic Guest.)
(07-26-2021, 09:20 AM)Robert Vermaat Wrote:(07-23-2021, 02:38 PM)JRSCline Wrote: If we were to reform anything, I'd start with Facebook RAT -- which needs IMO to point here and only here. Standalone RAT needs no competition with lookalikes.
Seconded.
The fact that only 10 people voted on this question is also significant.
Absolutely. It proves (sadly) that RAT is not frequented much anymore, to the point that not even discussions fundamental to the future of this board generate much user participation or interest. We all agree on the fact that the level of participation has been low for years, it is a quantifiable fact, the only question is whether we are content with this state or not.
(07-23-2021, 02:38 PM)JRSCline Wrote: If we want Roman Military Studies to survive in a world where Postmodern academic trends now threaten a wholescale abandonment of traditional Classics, RAT must continue its foundational purpose -- to be first a collection point of specialist knowledge to discuss and secondly a place for its knowledge-keepers to find community with the like-minded.
Thanks for the fascinating insight into the early days of this forum, JRSClineHello. I wasn't aware there was life before Jasper. :-) It is good to encapsulate our knowledge in the face of the postmodern onslaught but I believe an even better response would be to expand our outreach to normies. After all, the saying goes it's not about guarding the ashes but keeping the flame alive.
Remember, after 20 years of existence a biological aspect also comes into play. Some of our most valuable members, the estimated Alanus comes to my mind but there were more of course, have left this life in the meantime and a big gap here. If we don't actively try to recruit new members, we will become a bit like medieval monks in the monasteries who preserved knowledge but failed to pass it on to a wider audience.
I believe this forum has the potential to integrate a new generation of users without the need to give up what is good about it.
But if widening the appeal means we are not anymore 'among ourselves', but may have also to deal with the kind of strong opinions that we can see on other (history) forums, so be it. There is always a price to be paid. The alternative is IMO to die a slow death here, because if there had been a turnaround, we would have seen it years ago.
That's all from my side for now. I think the pros and cons are all on the table. Best wishes.
Stefan (Literary references to the discussed topics are always appreciated.)
