Looked at the number of users I was following here and thought it was strangely high, considering the number of people whose posts I see on the timeline.

Started unfollowing the ones who haven't posted in over 6 months. It's incredible how many there were! Over 150 gone.

@maique wow that is actually kind of shocking. Was it mostly new people that posted the initial "Hello" and then left after a while or people that have a lot of stuff and just ended up moving on.

@maique I did that a while back, too. I think I weeded out nearly a third of who I’d been following. There were so many brave “Hello World!” and “I want to start blogging more!” messages, followed by silence. But there are a few long-gone Micronauts I will continue to keep in my Following list, in case they reappear as suddenly as they vanished — especially @Smokey, who was such a warm, positive voice in the community during its first few years...

@ericmwalk A couple of “Hello, world” post, but most seemed to be active for a while. Then they left.

@rnv That must have been close to the same amount, about a third. I kept @helgeg, maybe he’ll be back some day.

@ericmwalk @maique Yeah, when I did a similar weeding, there were plenty of Helloworlders, but just as many folks who just... faded away after a while.

@rnv I miss @smokey too. Used to love that he took the effort of replying to everyone that mentioned him. Wonder why he quit so suddenly.

@maique I don't do much curation since if they don't show up in my timeline, it doesn't matter. Thanks to MB's design, we don't really keep tabs on who is following whom and how many, etc.

I fear that with the newsletter subscriptions. I wouldn't even mind if I'm not shown who has subscribed to my newsletter coz it's not like I'm crafting something extra for them. It's just a digest of my MB posts that I make anyway.

@pratik I miss both @smokey and @helgeg and a few others. Maybe we ought to reach out more, but hen again, I don’t want to bother anyone. I suddenly mentioned @muncman in a post, because I hadn’t “seen” him in a while, a while back, and got a reply. Maybe my variable circadian rhythm is the big problem with me… I have been hoping to see more of the people that I used to follow on Twitter here, but that haven’t happened. Not that I have a way to know if they’re here. @maique @ericmwalk @rnv

@rnv @pratik This may explain why Smokey left.

@maique Far out, that is high. I’m still here!

@Cheri @pratik I don't know what happened but he did keep blogging for another year after that, so I'm not sure. Just hope he's well.

@Cheri Oh no! I had no idea of this reason. But I completely understand. Even when that episode happened and Sameer quit. I had mentioned to Manton and Jean that Micro.blog is worse off without Sameer and am not sure it has still recovered. It is still somewhat the kind of the place that Smokey talks about.

@manton @cheri I noticed that too. His last post was Jan 2020 and his account seems to be still valid so I think he's paying his subscription. Not sure what happens if you stop paying.

@Cheri I remember that post, and I remember the series of events that prompted it. But because he was around for another year or more after that, I guess I hadn't considered that they might be more connected. But it makes sense.

@rnv @Cheri @pratik @manton A number of his posts were automated, as I remember, so I'm not sure his continued participation was necessarily all that active or intentional.

Those events contributed to my absences. Unsure if Micro.blog is able to change much tbh. And that doesn't feel good at all.

@pratik Even I miss interacting with Smokey. Such a kind and thoughtful voice. I was following him via RSS until he suddenly stopped posting there too. I just hope he's well and hope there was some way to find that. @rnv @odd

@odd Sorry I’ve not been around as much. I haven’t been on any social networks, really, nor blogging in general.

I got out of the habit, I guess. Maybe I’ll be around more in the new year?

@muncman 👋 It's always nice to see ya when you pop up.

@muncman I’m glad you are still here, but you must not feel pressured to post. Hope to see you around in 2022 nonetheless. 😃

@Cheri Thanks!

The welcoming, positive reinforcement from people like you and @odd make my popping up more likely. 😊

@canion I thought so too. Don’t worry, you’re safe 🤣

@maique ✂️

@Cheri @manton @rnv I meant to say, things have somewhat changed here and am sure everyone learned from that experience but their loss to this community hurts. But those years were tough on everyone so not blaming anyone. We do choose to move on. I've followed Sameer via his blog and GoodReads.

@pratik Well said. I hear you. 🙂

@odd That’s my reasoning as well. If they left, or are temporarily away, they must have their reasons, and I don’t want to impose. But they’re missed 😊

@cdevroe Yes, yes. You got me thinking 😊

@pratik I agree. Very well put.

@maique 🎉

@Cheri thanks for that link. I wondered many time where Smokey went. Both missed here.

@helgeg 👍

@helgeg Yay!! Take your time, we’ll wait. In the meantime, Merry Christmas! @odd

@helgeg good to see you are still here.

@maique Hope I've made the cut, I've been silent but out of too much work!!

@Portufraise Of course! 😊

@helgeg It's wonderful to read your words. When you are ready….in the mean time, Happy Christmas.

@helgeg Helge! Merry Christmas and looking forward to it! ☺️🎄

@maique Well, after 10 months I am back... except I never left! I’ve been here on a near daily basis following the lives, interactions and support of the community which has been a welcome comfort in the world we currently find ourselves in. I came close to rejoining on many ocassions when I came across a particular post or discussion that resonated but my introverted nature always got the better of me. However, after reading a few responses in this thread from others, like me, who had seemingly vanished I finally found the impoetus I needed to rejoin. I look forward to being a part of this community and sharing my thoughts and feelings with you all again!

@findingfeeling Glad to have you back, even though you never left. Happy you felt you were ready to write again, but feel free to just read, of course.

My post was just a “matter of fact”, “status report” thing, never meant it as anything else 😊

@maique Merry Christmas to you all too! 🎅🏻🤶🏻👶🏻🎄

@odd Merry Christmas to you! 😊