A while back, someone mentioned that since the word lurker has a sinister connotation, another term should be coined for those who come to the board but don't participate.
I suggest non-active participant or NAP. I came to this forum for seven years before I joined, so I know how difficult it can be to take that first step.
Snowbird
NAME CHANGE FOR LURKERS
by snowbird 24 Replies latest jw friends
-
snowbird
-
BFD
I know what you mean. I think people who come here to read could be called Truthseekers.
BFD
-
WTWizard
Lurkers can in fact be up to no good, though this is not true for most curiosity lurkers and people that are reading but not members. This is the case when someone in a congregation lurks on these forums so they can catch one of their members posting. When they suspect this, they will blow the information in to the hounders, who will usually look up those posts. These are then used as evidence for apostasy, as well as other charges like celebrating holidays or birthdays.
By and large, most lurkers are not sinister. This board in particular tends to attract people that will treat it like a regular apostate site. They will find plenty to read here, without contributing anything to the board. Sometimes they will contribute (copy, paraphrase, etc.) something found here to another site (which is fine, since that spreads the message that much farther). Some like to see what's going on with the a$$emblies and any important announcements within the Kingdumb Hells without having to actually go to the boasting session and risk getting recaptured or hounded.
Non-active participant is a more accurate description to what usually goes on. There is also a proper term: Guest. (A guest is someone who is not a member or someone who is not logged in). Search engines are technically guests, too--and they do a good job at bringing in people that are searching for the real truth. However, no matter what we call them, they are generally trying to find the truth and integrate it. Nothing offensive in that--as long as they are not up to nefarious purposes.
-
lisavegas420
Snowbird...what were you most afraid of?
lisa
-
poppers
How about "shypatents" = shy + participants.
-
edmond dantes
Hi,
I regulary used to visit this site for years without posting and I came across the title "lurker" quite often and found it offensive and derogatory,because as you say it's not very pleasant and has sinister connotations.But having developed a suit of armour against slings and arrows never took it too seriously.However saying that, I feel sure that there are people visiting who would take it to heart especially if they need to feel welcomed and are a little apprehensive about who they are communicating with.So I think a different expression would sound better and give a more truer meaning .Maybe the term " wisdom-seeker" would be more appropriate.
A lurker would be someone who had bad intent and maybe there are people like that viewing but unless you know for definite what a persons intentions are it would be better to use "wisdom- seeker" from now on.
I knew a shop-keeper once who, whenever trade was bad, especially if it was raining, would go to his doorway and start rudely asking the people there if they were loitering.Of course these people obviously would never come back to his shop again so he didn't do himself any favours.It's the same on this site, don't drive anyone away by calling them lurkers, they might just be sheltering with good intent.How about the term "shelteres"?
Just a thought,
Edmond
-
drew sagan
It never bothered me.
-
lola28
How about "Those who never post"?
Lola
-
bluebell
I understand where you are coming from but I don't think it will catch on! It never bothered me, being a lurker, but then again i didn't lurk for long.
-
Gopher
Other possibilities:
JWD BYSTANDERS -
If Jehovah's Witnesses have their "Jehovah's Witness Bystanders" who believe the message but don't join, we could have BYSTANDERS too.
JWD WITNESSES -
They witness a lot of the action on the board, but are not in the middle of the action.