AMVs: A Lifetime Addiction?

[SQ]

I used to be so incredibly engrossed in the AMV community. Then I gradually faded from the hobby (but not really willingly) around 2006 or 2007.
Now that I'm back (on the forums, at least) I'm seeing many of the same people. I'm seeing a lot of people with very old joindates on the forum. Most names look familiar, and if they don't, they usually joined at least two years a go.

This is both comforting and discomforting at the same time. It's comforting to know that the same people I practically grew up with who shared my hobby are still here doing their thing, but it's discomforting to know that we haven't taken many new people under our wing.

It's clear as day to me that AMVs - on the whole - have become much more popular than in previous years. But is the 'fad' dying down? Or are these 'new members' just not into community participation? Or am I getting the wrong impression completely?

What is different between this 'generation' of AMV editors and those from generations past? Is it really the same people making AMVs as years a go, or is there just a lack in participation on the forums? Does this participation leak over into conventions? Are there many AMVs shown but not as many editors to give representative faces to those videos?

Is there a separate dynamic between the AMVers of today and yesteryear? For those who joined years a go, did you intend it to be a lifelong ambition, or did it just 'happen'? Or do you not make AMVs anymore, but you stick around because you like the community/forum?
Do you think the AMVers who are making AMVs now but are not participating in the community will continue to make AMVs for future years to come?

[Nya-chan Production]

Generations tend to change about every 10-15 years. I think Vlad or doki might have to say something to this :+)

And one word - YouTube. There's most of new editors and only some get through the seed and enter the Org.

[Koopiskeva]

I think AMVs have definitely lost steam in terms of gaining popularity and the community getting larger. Also, a lot of the community has become more spread out due to Youtube and other video sharing sites, so the org itself just isn't quite the center of the AMV world anymore.

As for a lifelong hobby, I think many of us were very into AMVs at one point or another and will continue to keep tabs on this community for a long time even if we're not actively participating. So, I think the same people you're seeing from a few years ago may only still be around due to a combination of the lack of influx of new members and people just generally hanging out here despite not having anything new.

Or something.

[Knowname]

my main thing is nobody 'recent' is nerdy enough to continue the guides. I'm hoping Zarx sticks around and doesn't quit (or disapear) like AD, Ermac, Trythil etc.

So don't scare him away alright??

[kickass331]

I think the real problem is that the Alpha generation is coming into play, at the start of every new generation, children begin to have lives. This and the fact that most people don't cling to hobbies. I love AMVs personally because I have never had friends or a job or anything of value, so sticking it to the man and doing something I love makes me want to contribute. I think in a couple years, fan made music videos will be 10 times bigger, but we have to wait for the industry to mature. Anime is dying internationally, but the media explosion has the possibility of making everybody computer zombies like myself. Not depending on playgrounds and chinese toys is the future of mankind, when we are no longer dependent on cheap, stupid things to entertain ourselves, and people in grade school all have laptops and cell phones in every city around the world, that's when AMVs, etc. will truly be a spectacle. Let us hope that is within the alpha or beta generation so we can experience it also.

[inthesto]

I have never had friends or a job or anything of value

I am so tempted to make this my new signature.

[kickass331]

I have never had friends or a job or anything of value

I am so tempted to make this my new signature.

you working on my birthday vid yet?

[GH]

And one word - YouTube. There's most of new editors and only some get through the seed and enter the Org.

yeah, i've noticed this. new/decent editors appear on youtube quite a bit and are completely oblivious to the existence of the org. o.o

[ZephyrStar]

AMVs are a lifestyle

[downwithpants]

this point is made every year, but yeah, the past few years i'd agree with it. and people have touched on what i think is one of the main factors - youtube, and to some extent other popular social websites like facebook.

the mods and admin have recently had a discussion on this, and i am hopeful that the website will get a fresh coat of paint, soon.