The title says it all really. Having talked to several members, I can see that there is a strong element of disappointment in the direction that this site has taken. There are a number of selfish posters with their brief reviews and at times pointless and sometimes antagonistic contributions that do little to support the true spirit of songwriting. This place will fade and disappear unless contributors contribute generously and politely. This decline has been happening for a long time. I'd love to be surprised and see this forum return to what it once was but sadly, I don't believe that it will.
Paul
@Paul V . . . yes, another thought provoking thread, glad to see you back here ! I'm a busker, so I can't comment on the decline you're observing here on the forum, I only know that when I do come here, I'm always impressed by the quality and range of songs presented here. Yes, I spend most of my time in the Finished Songs area. It's a peer to peer forum, and I'm always interested in how my fellow songwriters create, mix, write lyrics, produce, and even how they critique.
I always find the critique of other writers songs difficult. I always try to be positive and helpful, and when I just don't care for it, and don't have anything useful to add, I keep silent, move on. Maybe that's a wrong approach, but I am no expert or impresario producer. I am here to learn and share what I have learned.
It seems to me only a short time ago someone here commented on how they thought the forum was very vibrant again, and made a comment of appreciation about that, but I'm a busker, and know not of the glory days here. Hopefully, when summer is over, everyone will return here from the beaches, back into their studios, and a flourish of new songs will magically appear here.
Like me, others may "pop in" more occasionally because we have bills and day jobs . . . and for myself, being in a very different time zone makes a livelier interaction trickier to do. Doesn't mean we don't like it here, just a slight disconnect. It seems there are only a handful of songwriter themed peer forums in existence on the internet, as far as I've found, and I like this one very much. So, I'll resolve to spend more time here . . . just don't roll your eyes too much at my more shallow posts:)