Facebook rises. AFF declines.

[jfrog]

I think it’s helpful to examine why AFF is on life support.

The cause isn’t the ex-apostolics or the ever rehashed doctrinal debates. Instead the problem is much more fundamental. Facebook started to slowly siphon off the users that contributed things other than doctrinal debates, politics and conspiracy theories.

So slowly we have seen a great amount of diverse content dry up which snow balled into what we find today - where none of that content and none of those users primarily focused on that kind of content post here anymore. Instead they post on Facebook and all that we have left are the universals of politics, conspiracy theories and occasionally some doctrinal debate.

[Esaias]

All message boards/discussion forums have dwindled into insignificance over the last 10-15 years. Across all subjects and interest groups.

Most people prefer twits, faceborg snippets, memes, instagram shout-outs, etc. So those platforms are ideal for them: short simple soundbite blurbs. Those primarily interested in long, reasoned, descriptive posts requiring critical detailed analysis, debate, research, etc usually don't bother with the meme platforms. They are a minority. They either lurk around such antiquarian ancient ruins like discussion boards, or they drop off the net altogether.

It is a sign o the timez.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Esaias

All message boards/discussion forums have dwindled into insignificance over the last 10-15 years. Across all subjects and interest groups.

Most people prefer twits, faceborg snippets, memes, instagram shout-outs, etc. So those platforms are ideal for them: short simple soundbite blurbs. Those primarily interested in long, reasoned, descriptive posts requiring critical detailed analysis, debate, research, etc usually don't bother with the meme platforms. They are a minority. They either lurk around such antiquarian ancient ruins like discussion boards, or they drop off the net altogether.

It is a sign o the timez.

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by jfrog

I think it’s helpful to examine why AFF is on life support.

The cause isn’t the ex-apostolics or the ever rehashed doctrinal debates. Instead the problem is much more fundamental. Facebook started to slowly siphon off the users that contributed things other than doctrinal debates, politics and conspiracy theories.

So slowly we have seen a great amount of diverse content dry up which snow balled into what we find today - where none of that content and none of those users primarily focused on that kind of content post here anymore. Instead they post on Facebook and all that we have left are the universals of politics, conspiracy theories and occasionally some doctrinal debate.

I'll give you a good reason for the decline of AFF

A certain poster was allowed to run wild a few years ago and ran off all of the good discussion on the board.
So, a new discussion board was set up to allow those that left to have a refuge.
Then (as usually happens) the poster went so out of control that a ban was enacted.
But, it was like "shutting the barn door after the cows had all escaped".

You "old-timers" will know what I mean.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

I'll give you a good reason for the decline of AFF

A certain poster was allowed to run wild a few years ago and ran off all of the good discussion on the board.
So, a new discussion board was set up to allow those that left to have a refuge.
Then (as usually happens) the poster went so out of control that a ban was enacted.
But, it was like "shutting the barn door after the cows had all escaped".

You "old-timers" will know what I mean.

I agree this was the initial cause for the great decline at AFF but since then the other poster's explanation is also true. FB and other social media have largely displaced forums.

[Steven Avery]

Facebook is very low quality in apostolic discussions. It has some decent groups like Patristics for Protestants, where the posts are reasonably high quality. We recently discussed a debate on the date of Revelation (that video aspect can be helpful.)

CARM as a bulletin board is coming back pretty decently after their vBulletin disaster (I also moved my www.purebibleforum.com to Xenforo). AFF seems solid in terms of stability even with vBulletin. However, we may have to stay stable and avoid upgrades.

It is true that AFF could use more doctrinal meat. More interest in politics than whether the virgin birth is connected to the sinlessness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Or whether yahweh is the devil jupiter. (Two issues that I believe are fundamental.) Granted, the sabbath and MADR (marriage-adultery-divorce-remarriage) are examples of good discussions. And a little bit on oneness doctrines.

Granted the 'covid' and jab discussions are important, and the fascism a-bubbling. Legit discussions.

And I would not complain, unless the admins express their concern.

[Bro Flame]

I'm in a few Apostolic-orientated groups on Facebook. The discussions on there aren't terribly different from what I see here. It's just in a different format.

[Steven Avery]

Originally Posted by Bro Flame

I'm in a few Apostolic-orientated groups on Facebook. The discussions on there aren't terribly different from what I see here. It's just in a different format.

The ones I know offhand:

Apostolic Doctrine
Apostolic Theological Seminary and Bible College
Apostolic From All Over The World ~ 2020 (Community 2018-2020)
Discussion Board on Oneness Pentecostalism

Also:
Oneness and Trinity Debate Forum
Trinity v. Oneness v. Unitarian v. Arianism v. Binitarian Discussion group
Oneness V Trinity

And I rarely watch or post on any of these groups.

[Bro Flame]

Originally Posted by Steven Avery

The ones I know offhand:

Apostolic Doctrine
Apostolic Theological Seminary and Bible College
Apostolic From All Over The World ~ 2020 (Community 2018-2020)
Discussion Board on Oneness Pentecostalism

Also:
Oneness and Trinity Debate Forum
Trinity v. Oneness v. Unitarian v. Arianism v. Binitarian Discussion group
Oneness V Trinity

And I rarely watch or post on any of these groups.

I know I'm in the Apostolics From All Over The World one, and I'm in a Oneness vs. Trinity one, but I cannot remind which one exactly.

I was apart of Apostolic Singles for a while until I met my soulmate who is now my wife.

[Michael The Disciple]

Im on several of the Facebook groups but dont post much. I dont like the "cramped" layout.