Orbits77

After that stunner, it became about the discovered variety, the different forms of the interest. Followed by inevitable dispersion into various subgroups.

But what was really important was discovery of others, the variety of interests each had and the resulting community that came from exchange of information of all types, experiences, stories real and fiction, photos both real and fabricated, drawings etc.

The available information online has grown and grown through the efforts of many, with many different talents and resources and with many diverse interests centering around inflation.

It would be hard to list all the subgroups and variations that resulted from split after split from the original group, and then subgroups as each grew.

Now anyone can search the web and find out quickly that they are not alone in their interests. That is something that has been changed, probably for ever. That change is “owned” in small part by everyone who contributed in some sincere way.

Of course someone had to cast the first stones that began the avalanche. And the time and technology had to be right.
But everyone who contributed from then to now has some “ownership” of the result.

But what is really important is the resources now online which ensure against a return to the pre-1990 period when isolation and being alone was the norm.

I remember when we worried about “critical mass” and what that point was, 40 members, 80 members? Would it survive this split or that split?

Well there is little doubt now about critical mass. I think it has spread so far and wide we can label it “self-sustaining” in all its resulting variations.

You did get me thinking though, I had a number of favorites that too seemed to have fallen by the wayside, Nostromo! The Engineer and The Inflator – I loved their cartoons, and Dr Ivan’s artwork too, as you said I wonder what happened to them.

Lastly, your post got me so nostalgic that I remembered that I had a story from way back when that actually kindled the BE spark in me, I have no idea who wrote it as it was unsigned when I downloaded it but in a vain attempt to find the author and return the story-ette to the community I have posted it on my deviantART page (it’s the only thing there so shouldn’t be too hard to find) and uploaded it to the overflowingbra, if you’re curious, it’s called Bathtime. I thought you might like to know.

Anyway I’ve waffled long enough, have a fun, TTFN
Si