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(i was prompted to write this by another post around here ...)
P"UNCH THE MONKEY!"
In response to message #0
the reality of it all, Doley, is that OKP and the people that made OKP, from top to bottom, are all in different places now than they were back in the day, which happens.
i initially thought of posting the following observations when Shawn Gee's "is this the end?" post (aka "you dimlights have driven ?uesto off"), but i think they work for this post, too.
the internet, besides all its other uses, has become a place where people invest a lot of time & energy into the escapism factor or the connecting-with-people-outside-their-immediate-area factor (or both). (on top of all that, we're all nerds of some type ... and Starks got ejected)
personally, and i don't know that too many would be eager to lay it out about themselves in the same way, i would say i spent a staggering amount of time here on OKP between '99-2001. it wasn't because i didn't have friends or a life or any of that, but i guess i dug reading what the people here had to say and contributing my own little schtick. i'm gonna go out on the limb here and say that that's why the people who were here during the time got out of it as well.
at the same time, the community definitely grew number-wise, regardless of reason (but including the D'Angelomania and shimmering write ups on OKP being a unique online community), and another element of the game was brought in to help support the people who were picking up the check each month - advertising and using OKP as a marketing tool. i think that the folks behind the curtain have juggled to maintain a decent balance of keeping the community aspect of things going while having the marketing element something that's there, but not overshadowing the community (i could be wrong, too).
so, OKP itself is in a different place because of that and because of the following:
a decent chunk of the people that congregated here had talents and ambitions that required them to re-focus their use of time (imo). while they were here (and some are still here), there were things that got accomplished under the banner of OKP (official or unofficial), such as the RE:, various fundraisers, the screenwriters group, the book clubs, etc. i think as people pushed their own projects/careers/goals forward (or just devoted more time to their life offline) it just left a slight void as far as people who made this place interesting or at least made it familiar. (that perceived void was filled by others who got their shine on with whatever their thing was and, i think, posting became a lot more disposable.)
personally, i started coming here less and less as i started to focus tighter on what i wanted to do with my life. in a weird way, and i'm sure this'll come out corny, my experiences with the people here i think helped me and encouraged me as far as what i wanted to pursue.
i don't know if that's the case with everyone else, but you have a lot of OKP alumni (for lack of a better word) that are asserting their voices or pursuing their goals in a variety of ways from NAZDAK's Blue Chip thing, the Loosie crew, the Rare Form folks, Dove's Tygereye Entertainment, and a billion other online/offline endeavors. so, i think the people that used to be here are basically making their way in the world today (even if it takes everything they got) and those who do still kick it here (even if sporadically) see it as a place to take a break at place where everyone knows their name.
so, OKP *and* the vets are kind of in different places.
as far as ?ueazy and his quasi-sabbatical or whatever ... from what i remember, he's always been big on connecting with people. i remember something in Rap Pages about him being on tour and racking up crazy long distance charges just keeping in touch with folks (before the days of free ld with the cellie and shit). i imagine that it was pretty natural to take that urge to connect with people to the internet once it became feasible for the average joe to have access.
i know that some people are all sad (or angry at the knuckleheads) about his supposed departure, but i think the Proceed drummer is probably just in a different place, too. it's not as if i know the guy like that or anything, but i think the clue lies in the "is this the end?" post. he mentions that he has other stuff that he can put his time toward, including "socially."
?uest is just really in demand right now and in the thick of things, is the impression i get. prior to, let's say Dupri's insistence that he drum on the "What's Going On?" remake in Sept/Oct 2001 (not necessarily the turning point, but just a general marker), ?uest obviously got props in his own circle and with those in the know. it was just a matter of time before other people in the industry (and the media - just check out how publications & other outlets use him as a resource and quote machine) caught wind of the guy. he's been putting in work forever on a billion projects, some of which ended up being high profile, and now i think he's kind of reaping part of what's been sowed and the things that go along with that (i.e. higher profile business/social attention, broader respect, etc.).
when you compare all that with the alternative of spending time around here where people are seeking attention by trying to be naysaying badasses (as opposed to solid constructive criticism), i guess it'd be an easy choice for most.
anyway, i look at this whole situation (a ?uestless OKP, vets & newbies, cats & dogs living together - MASS HYSTERIA!) as less of a case of Snoopy Come Home than a case of Snoopy, Home is Where You Decide to Build It. or something.
(having written all of this, i'm inclined to delete it because it's mostly baseless speculation, meandering thoughts, and meaningless squiggles ... but, here we are now, entertain us.)
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