Facebook V Soul Source

[paultp]

I use facebook for keeping in touch with old army mates as they are spread all over the world.

 

The thing about advertising on there or getting the word out on something is that if you post something on someone's timeline all their friends see it and may post it on someone else's or share it or summat - things can get to a lot of people quickly. But facebook is sh*te for a discussion as it tends to be quite an instant media (though not as instant as twitter which I still can't see the point of).

 

I like this place as you can pop in and see what is going on, comment if you want, come back later and see where the subject has gone, comment again etc.

[night nurse]

soulsource 100% the best. facebook is for jeremy kyle fans

[Mike]

Keep up the Sterling work Mike and the Mods

 

Remember when me and Greg started the Capitol Soul Club back in 99

without Soul Source not half the people would have heard about the Club

And the music we were playing at the time.

 

I come on here for the in depth discussions about Labels,artists and such like

All great stuff

And the Records sales to dent a Hole  in my wallet

 

Al H

 

they were good days Alan

 

promoters/ djs all pushing out info about current plays, full playlists, tips, radio 

all in a punter friendly, top quality  and with a passion style

 

csc led/showed the way imo 

[Guest Dave Turner]

soulsource 100% the best. facebook is for jeremy kyle fans

 

Ok, I go on FB to interact with soul fans who for whatever reason don't come of SS. Soul fans from around the world who I never would have known otherwise. Some of whom it appears to me their knowledge re soul music, artists & records would put most on here to shame. So if that makes me the likes of a f**king Jeremy Kyle fan then so be it.

Edited March 20, 2014 by Dave Turner

[Mike]

yep Tim

can do that for a  trial run

 

but if possible would like to do it with a couple of stand up members up for looking after it (eg  can keep a eye on things - nothing major just keep it ticking)

drop us a pm Tim  (and/or anyone else who be up for looking after it) 

 

just a highlight as had no pms ref looking after this

[Guest Paul]

Why the comparison?

Facebook and soul source are very different things and both are useful in different ways for different reasons.
 

Facebook obviously became the main platform for joining or creating your own community (or multiple communities, to be precise) and is essential for staying in touch, instant messaging, chatting, sharing news etc.

 

Some people think facebook is too "main street" but it depends on how you use it.  It has many side streets and back alleys and the number of interesting and useful facebook groups for soul music is growing all the time.  Look at Dave Turner's deep and sweet soul page, just for example, it's so fast and easy to upload audio, images, links and comment etc, and of course it's great for renewing old friendships and making new friends with similar interests.

And with the news feeds and automation features it's almost impossible to miss a friend's birthday, a cry for help or a sudden death etc.  Facebook is an excellent thing, if used right, and I don't see any point in comparing it with a more subject-specific online forum or members group such as soul source etc.

Soul source is equally useful in more specific ways, obviously if you're a soul fan of course (and in particular if you're a northern soul / rare soul fan because that's what the emphasis is on) but it's different and is probably more important to some than others.  I would find it a bit too narrow with too much focus on the rare soul aspect but, thankfully, there are enough sub forums and off-topic things to keep it interesting for me - not to forget the essential freebasing section which is what I tend to look at most often.

I joined facebook six or seven years ago and have thousands of "friends", the majority of whom are soul fans and music lovers (and many are also soul source members anyway) but some are mates, neighbours, relatives etc.  It isn't a question of which community is best, both are interesting and useful.

My only criticism of soul source, and it's a minor thing, is that there seems to be some little cliques which can alienate other members, and sadly there's a bit of a status thing which I suppose is only a reflection of the hierarchy which exists on the rare soul scene.  But, as in real life, all I can do is chose my friends, ignore those who ignore me and avoid those who seem to think they're superior.

 

I'm a socialist so I believe all people are equal, in fact I usually find that the most "ordinary" people are the most fascinating.  Yes, it would be better if a few soul source members would lighten up a bit and take themselves less seriously but, thankfully, the majority of members are fantastic people - friendly, helpful, humorous, modest, considerate and informative etc.

Paul

[Mike]

your post is just saying what was said in post #1

 

 

 

Facebook and soul source are very different things and both are useful in different ways for different reasons.

 

 

v

 

 

 

Myself I do find that facebook is good at certain things and bad for others  and am sure that it is a similar experience for many  members on here and I bet you could say the same about soul source

 

 

 

[Guest Paul]

 

your post is just saying what was said in post #1

 

 

I didn't realise that, Mike, but that's not a bad thing, it's interesting that we agree.  I was just expressing my own thoughts, I reckon most people wouldn't chose between one community and another when they can enjoy both (and others).

Paul

 

[Mike]

I didn't realise that, Mike, but that's not a bad thing, it's interesting that we agree.  I was just expressing my own thoughts, I reckon most people wouldn't chose between one community and another when they can enjoy both (and others).

Paul

 

 

That again was what the first post was all about

 

That post was brought about by some people claiming that as people were also using facebook it meant that soul source on  a downer

Yet soul source was and is currently at its most active point ever 

 

Posting this as am just  a bit weary of reading people trying to make out that it is some sort of downer on this site just because some members also use facebook

snip

 

 

January saw us having its most active month ever, that's the most active since 1997

Stats such as views and unique visitors have hit new levels for January 2014

Soul Source in 2014  is doing better than it has ever done!

 

 

 

Rest of the first post has the score

[Guest Paul]

Mike, it's natural that some people will go a bit quiet on soul source and some might leave from time to time, for whatever reasons, it can't always be interesting to everyone but I doubt it's because of facebook in many cases.

 

There are times when I've found soul source to be a bit samey or too focused on rarity or DJs for my own liking, or I might have too many other things going on in my life, but usually there's something of interest and, if not, I know another day is likely to be different.  Once or twice I've taken a back seat for a few months, to be honest I didn't think I missed it much but when I got active again I soon remembered what a nice community it is.

And on soul source I don't really notice the numbers but I assume quite a lot of people are lurking and reading posts but not joining in (for whatever reason).  I only wish more of those people would contribute because it would make it more interesting and it might also help to make any of the cliques or hierarchy things less obvious.  As I said before, I think those things can alienate other members sometimes.
 

Paul

[Mike]

thanks for your views 

am not sure why you feel a need to post such as above in reply to what I posted but no probs

the first post does actually cover some of the points you highlight (such as more contributing) 

but am beginning to repeat myself in my replies to you so will leave this as is

thanks

mike

[Guest penny]

Why the comparison?

Facebook and soul source are very different things and both are useful in different ways for different reasons.

 

Facebook obviously became the main platform for joining or creating your own community (or multiple communities, to be precise) and is essential for staying in touch, instant messaging, chatting, sharing news etc.

 

Some people think facebook is too "main street" but it depends on how you use it.  It has many side streets and back alleys and the number of interesting and useful facebook groups for soul music is growing all the time.  Look at Dave Turner's deep and sweet soul page, just for example, it's so fast and easy to upload audio, images, links and comment etc, and of course it's great for renewing old friendships and making new friends with similar interests.

And with the news feeds and automation features it's almost impossible to miss a friend's birthday, a cry for help or a sudden death etc.  Facebook is an excellent thing, if used right, and I don't see any point in comparing it with a more subject-specific online forum or members group such as soul source etc.Soul source is equally useful in more specific ways, obviously if you're a soul fan of course (and in particular if you're a northern soul / rare soul fan because that's what the emphasis is on) but it's different and is probably more important to some than others.  I would find it a bit too narrow with too much focus on the rare soul aspect but, thankfully, there are enough sub forums and off-topic things to keep it interesting for me - not to forget the essential freebasing section which is what I tend to look at most often.

I joined facebook six or seven years ago and have thousands of "friends", the majority of whom are soul fans and music lovers (and many are also soul source members anyway) but some are mates, neighbours, relatives etc.  It isn't a question of which community is best, both are interesting and useful.

My only criticism of soul source, and it's a minor thing, is that there seems to be some little cliques which can alienate other members, and sadly there's a bit of a status thing which I suppose is only a reflection of the hierarchy which exists on the rare soul scene.  But, as in real life, all I can do is chose my friends, ignore those who ignore me and avoid those who seem to think they're superior.

 

I'm a socialist so I believe all people are equal, in fact I usually find that the most "ordinary" people are the most fascinating.  Yes, it would be better if a few soul source members would lighten up a bit and take themselves less seriously but, thankfully, the majority of members are fantastic people - friendly, helpful, humorous, modest, considerate and informative etc.

Paul

it is a socialist principle that all people have equal value, which isn't the same as all people being equal. Some people know more about particular subjects than others, some people have more or better records than others, some are better at brain surgery, bricklaying, cooking...

This wishy washy view that hierarchy is some sort of fascist principle gives socialism a bad name, and is just a cop out for people who cant accept that they're deficient.

in any culture, some people know more than others and can do things better than others. Not relatively better or worse as people, but relatively better or worse in different areas.

facebook seems to be a comfortable environment for some people who dont want to know that they're not especially special or good at something. People can maintain a comfort zone free of real scrutiny, debate or criticism.

To claim that it's somehow more democratic is ridiculous, everyone on there seems to be trying to sell themselves like a product and each is their own minister of propaganda. It is far more self-important than posting on here, where opinion or knowledge is paramount, not ass kissing and narcicism.

music appreciation seems to be the only field where expertise isn't acknowledged

[lorchand]

It took me a while, but I could not find a better forum to say, "Thank You" and how much I appreciate you all still supporting me after all these years. 

 

Soul Source gives me the opportunity to interact with each of you on a much more personal level than Facebook, which I only use for family interaction.  I thank you Mike and the administrators for the upkeep and the perseverance to keep the forum inviting and exciting.

 

As always, I never miss the opportunity to say how I love my family across the pond!      

 

Lorraine Chandler

[Wilxy]

Top Girl Lorraine!

[Guest Paul]

it is a socialist principle that all people have equal value, which isn't the same as all people being equal. Some people know more about particular subjects than others, some people have more or better records than others, some are better at brain surgery, bricklaying, cooking...

This wishy washy view that hierarchy is some sort of fascist principle gives socialism a bad name, and is just a cop out for people who cant accept that they're deficient.

in any culture, some people know more than others and can do things better than others. Not relatively better or worse as people, but relatively better or worse in different areas.

facebook seems to be a comfortable environment for some people who dont want to know that they're not especially special or good at something. People can maintain a comfort zone free of real scrutiny, debate or criticism.

To claim that it's somehow more democratic is ridiculous, everyone on there seems to be trying to sell themselves like a product and each is their own minister of propaganda. It is far more self-important than posting on here, where opinion or knowledge is paramount, not ass kissing and narcicism.

music appreciation seems to be the only field where expertise isn't acknowledged

 

 

Hello,

 

That's interesting, but I think you might have taken my points about cliques and status / hierarchy a bit more seriously than I intended them to be, and maybe I didn't explain myself very well but I did say these were "minor" issues.

My concern is purely that some of these things may alienate some members a bit.  It does seem that many people lurk but don't actually contribute, and personally I'd prefer soul source (or any forum) to be a bit more open and inviting if at all possible - especially to newcomers who may have less knowledge and experience than others.  Ironically, their enthusiasm may already be just as passionate as ours and their musical taste may well be impressive enough to inspire the most experienced people.  Taste is subjective, of course, but it's something which can't be bought and you don't have to be a top DJ or respected record collector to have good taste.  That's what I really like about it, anyone can have enthusiasm and good taste, even those who can't afford to buy many records etc.

 

Of course I agree that people have different levels of skills, knowledge and experience as well as different strengths and weaknesses etc, that makes it more interesting and it makes communities stronger and more diverse, but the equality point I made was more to do with each person's opinions being equally valid.

 

It's also natural that anyone with particular high musical (or other) talent, knowledge or experience will probably be more listened to and maybe more admired than others, that's okay, and myself I do respect and admire musical talent in particular, but I sometimes feel that some people are considered (by themselves and / or others) to be more "important" or "superior" than others here, and not necessarily because of any particular talent or achievement, but sometimes simply because they happen to own a particularly rare, expensive or in-demand record, for example.  All well and good for them but some people are more interested in (and impressed by) simple enthusiasm, musical taste and character etc.

Soul source is obviously a northern soul forum, with its focus mostly on the "rare soul" thing, and I respect that but it's obvious from many of the postings that many members have wider musical interests than just northern / rare soul and not everyone is fascinated by how many copies of a particular rare record are known (or thought) to exist.  But, thankfully, as I said, soul source has many other forums and freebasing which make it more interesting to more people.  

 

As for people trying to sell themselves, I really don't think that applies to everyone (or even very many) here on soul source - or on facebook etc.  Some obviously are but many are just enjoying communicating, debating, learning, sharing, helping etc.  Most people like to feel as if they're part of a community and they feel good to be wanted, needed, appreciated etc.

We're all different.  With me, it just happens that I tend not to admire or look up to people just because they own an expensive record (or live in a mansion on the hill) or because they might be "famous" or a member of the "in crowd" or whatever, but I find it very easy to admire people for their efforts, enthusiasm, musical taste, warmth, modesty, humour, etc.

It's just the way I am.

 

Having said that, I suppose it's probably those very same differences that help make soul source (and facebook etc) so interesting.  The main thing which brings us all together in the first place is our shared interest in soul music and that has enabled quite a diverse bunch of people to be part of an online community which includes young and old, black and white, rich and poor, gay and straight etc.  Many of us don't actually know very much about each other at all, other than our "screen names", it isn't always necessary.

Best wishes,

 

Paul

 

 

P.S.  By the way, I didn't actually say (or even imply) that hierarchy is "some sort of fascist principle" so I assume you're referring to someone else, and if it's a "cop out for people who can't accept that they're deficient", again I've no idea who you're referring to but I happen to be a basic / general socialist at heart and I don't feel as if I'm any more deficient than anyone else here.  Others are welcome to disagree, of course. 

 

Edited March 23, 2014 by Paul