Tree Of Souls 10 Year Anniversary - Tree of Souls

Eltu · #1 03-17-2020, 12:42 AM

Hello everyone!

I know there are not nearly as many people frequenting these forums today, and I myself have not been nearly as active these last years as I should have been. Nonetheless I wanted to make a thread to commemorate the fact that as of 3 days ago, Tree of Souls has been around for ten years.

Through Avatar-Forums, Tree of Souls, and everyone who were a part of these communities, I was taken on an unforgettable journey - because of what Avatar made me feel, but even more so because of all the people who came together and provided a home like no other.

There are some things I wish I had done differently. The creation of ToS and migration from Avatar-Forums was done with the best of intentions, but some people still ended up getting hurt in the process and it wasn't always done in the most tactful or respectful manner. To the former AF moderators - ar0c6, xcrunner, Na'viwalker - as well as Lon: I apologize for the fervor with which I at times argued my points and spoke for a course of action that was, at the end of the day, unnecessary and resulted in unneeded conflict. Avatar-Forums could easily have remained the singular location for this one community, and even though it worked out well for the majority of people, there was no need for a schism to happen in the first place.

To Kame, in case you ever find and read this, I wish to apologize most of all. You were a great friend who were unfairly singled out and accused of sowing conflict when in reality this was never the case, and this never should have happened the way it did.

Some of you may remember the first few tumultuous months of the forums, but many probably do not - and I think it's important to highlight that in order to reach the place we did, we had to learn and grow and indeed, make mistakes. Throughout these experiences however, we found a place we could call home.

Tree of Souls did become a community like no other - and the 2010-2011 years of the forums in particular were a time which I will always look back at with a sense of belonging and happiness. Both the forum website and the IRC channel (which is still around! irc.geekshed.net, #treeofsouls) felt distinctly different from any other online communities I ever knew. There are too many memories to mention and too many names to list, but I do think of these times with great fondness - and although most of you are long gone from the community by now, I still frequently think of you all and the moments we shared.

There was a time where almost every waking hour of my life was spent on Tree of Souls, and it was time well spent - the connections I made and the experiences I had were greatly meaningful to me and helped shape my early adult years. To all of you - thank you.

Tree of Souls are emptier now, and it's far from the cornerstone of my life it once was - but I like to think of these things as experiences and time periods of your life rather than static, never-changing things. For many individuals, I think the community served its purpose, they moved forward with their lives, and as for me it turned into fond memories. As I remember I was quick to point out in the far past when someone made a dramatic point of leaving, I never wanted to force anyone to stay or keep people around simply for the sake of it - everything has its time and purpose, and I know that for me and many others, Tree of Souls in the years following Avatar fulfilled this purpose.

All this being said, of course the forums will remain around for as long as is ever possible. I know there are still a few people around, and personally, my goal remains the same it ever was - to make sure everyone is always welcome and always have a place in the community no matter what.

As the Avatar sequels will undoubtedly bring a few old friends back into the fold, Tree of Souls will remain (in its upgraded version!) and I will be here to do my very best to welcome everyone. It may have been ten years, but I'm sure we will be around for ten more.

For anyone who is reading this - I would love to hear what your experiences in the last ten years have been! Perhaps you didn't join ToS until later, or perhaps you were here from the very start, but nonetheless I would invite you to share anything you would like. I might do the same myself, but for now let me just express my gratitude to everyone who made this community the amazing place it has always been.

Eltu

iron_jones · #2 03-17-2020, 06:45 PM

How exciting!

Empty Glass · #3 03-18-2020, 12:18 AM

Great post Eltu! I'm going to have to write more when I have the time but this was neat to read.

Ja'k Dawsiin · #4 03-19-2020, 01:26 AM

wow, nice to read. i remember some of those great times in 2010, while i was lurking

i was a huge poster on AF but joined here later in the year because several fellow members of AF who were active here also. yeah, it's been a long Trail Of Tears since the painful demise of AF a few years ago, but we had another home to go to, the venerable ToS. i sure hope the Avatar sequels bring back old and new members alike to this fine institution, and shall be here when they do, provided we survive this coronavirus madness.

i remain an avid fan of all things Avatar, and am looking forward to A2 in December 2021. may we meet again, Neytiri and the Omaticaya.

iron_jones · #5 03-19-2020, 06:32 PM

The changes we must have all gone through in the period of ten years is astounding. It's cool to think that no matter what there are constant things in our lives, this forum being one among many. I'm very lucky and incredibly thrilled to be a part of this community.

Empty Glass · #6 03-20-2020, 06:49 AM

Alright, now I have time...

This site has been so important for me. Avatar hit me in a way that was awe-inspiring but it was also very slightly scary with just how much it affected me. I needed to see if anyone else in the world was going through what I was going through and I found them right here. I actually lurked a long time before I felt brave enough registering and starting to pour out things I had kept from the rest of the world. It turned out that registering was one of the best things I ever did. I've had some very good, enlightening discussions with people and even made a few friends with whom I've conversed beyond this site. 2010-2011 really did seem like the time when this was the best place on the internet.

No, there isn't as much activity here, but I still log on every day. There are still people every now and then who discover the movie and feel that it was more than just a movie, and I want to be here for them whenever they come. I want to be able to help them out the way others here helped me out ten years ago. Here's to the next ten years.

Wind12 · #7 03-21-2020, 05:48 AM

I joined AF in May of 2011 after the split, Avatar hit me like a bus, and I never wanted to continue a cinematic journey like that since I was a kid, so I found the Avatar wiki, then through that found AF, and then ToS, I made so many new eylan on AF and the course of my life was changed, it went from talking about Avatar with others, to flying by myself to Avatar meets, and visiting amazing places, from Lightstorm, to PANDORA!! to Canada and the UK. It's sad there had to be a split, but on AF (imo) there was severe issues with the leader(s) but I don't want to open up old wounds, so that's all on that.
Irayo for the leaders of ToS for keeping this place going, I still am on my Avatar journey, just now the platforms are more varied, from Discord, Instagram, twitter, to ToS and LN. I still chat with smuk nearly everyday and I try to keep up with pivlltxe nìNa'vi. I love the Tsu'tey's Path Avatar comics, and am excited for the sequels, eventhough part of the long story of getting to them now includes a world changing Pandemic. Siva ko ma frapo, still looking forward to the future of Avatar and the siva ko 2020's.

Little Shadow · #8 03-23-2020, 10:10 PM

I don't believe I've posted before, but I've been here for a while. I was in high school when Avatar first came out and I'm still stunned every time I see it. I'm always happy to come on and read everyone's thoughts and theories about one of the most beautiful movies of our age. Happy Birthday Tree of Souls, may your life be long and glorious!

iron_jones · #9 03-25-2020, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Shadow

I don't believe I've posted before, but I've been here for a while. I was in high school when Avatar first came out and I'm still stunned every time I see it. I'm always happy to come on and read everyone's thoughts and theories about one of the most beautiful movies of our age. Happy Birthday Tree of Souls, may your life be long and glorious!

You're the ultimate lurker.

Valley Dweller · #10 03-27-2020, 01:12 AM

Wow. Seems like I lost a decade somewhere. Always glad to see TOS still here when I check from time to time.

**Woodsprite** · #11 04-09-2020, 11:23 PM

Tree-of-souls was birthed in the ending days of internet forums, I think. It was between 2003 and 2012 forums were a thing, but when Facebook and Instagram became the kings at around 2010 (about two years after their arrival), that's when forums started to die. So I don't think ToS became sparse because the movie was out fora few years, because people were still talking about Avatar-- just not here.

I think we'll see a small resurgence when the sequels hit, but, not to be a downer or anything, I don't think ToS will see anywhere near the same traffic as it did in 2010-2011. It's like saying "Radio will become popular again when talking heads and cool music reign!" I mean, yeah, radio saw a bit of a bump, and it's still around (obviously), but it will never again see its golden age like it maintained in the 1930s-50s.

SaphirJD · #12 04-16-2020, 04:25 PM

So glad TOS is still around and i will for sure stay as long as TOS exists

Emi · #13 04-19-2020, 06:48 PM

I can remember finding this forum years ago, hard to believe it's been ten years already. Feels like it was only last year that I was in school browsing the forums on my rented laptop. Its a shame I never tried to get into the discussions, and I regret not signing up sooner. Still, better late than ever. I hope the forums start becoming more active in the future ^v^

TireaAean · #14 04-24-2020, 07:36 AM

Great Post ma Eltu. You almost had me thinking something sad was coming at the end!

Oh my, has it been a long time. (Sorry for such a late reply by the way. I just wanted to say a word or two as I'm passing through on a small trip of nostalgia.)

I remember when I first found Avatar-Forums and Tree of Souls through my own home Learn Na'vi. I was never really here as much as I was on LN, but I always felt a welcoming vibe and enjoyed checking in here every so often. And I remember coming here and to the ToS IRC more often than AF. I've heard only bits of the lore of the origin story of this place. It may have been a shaky time, but it seems to have worked out in the end.

I've enjoyed meeting everyone during the two AvatarMeets I was able to make it to. I feel like I owe a very big part of those experiences, and the existence of AvatarMeet in the first place, to the dedicated members of this Tree of Souls forum. You all are the coolest.

2010-2011 were the golden years of Avatar fandom and I remember it like it was yesterday. I had an insatiable obsession (although admittedly mostly with the language I still continue to hold so dear to my heart). Good times.

In an era where it seems that the web forum as a technology is nearly dead, I find it heartwarming that Tree of Souls is still around and that some people are still here.

Here's to the diehards who shall stick around until the heat death of the Internet. Here's to the dedicated Avatar fans who still proudly remember that the film Avatar exists. Who continue to wait patiently as always for the sequels which seem forever out of reach but are known to be coming. Those who have not given up hope and have found a home.

Cheers

iron_jones · #15 04-25-2020, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TireaAean

Great Post ma Eltu. You almost had me thinking something sad was coming at the end!

Oh my, has it been a long time. (Sorry for such a late reply by the way. I just wanted to say a word or two as I'm passing through on a small trip of nostalgia.)

I remember when I first found Avatar-Forums and Tree of Souls through my own home Learn Na'vi. I was never really here as much as I was on LN, but I always felt a welcoming vibe and enjoyed checking in here every so often. And I remember coming here and to the ToS IRC more often than AF. I've heard only bits of the lore of the origin story of this place. It may have been a shaky time, but it seems to have worked out in the end.

I've enjoyed meeting everyone during the two AvatarMeets I was able to make it to. I feel like I owe a very big part of those experiences, and the existence of AvatarMeet in the first place, to the dedicated members of this Tree of Souls forum. You all are the coolest.

2010-2011 were the golden years of Avatar fandom and I remember it like it was yesterday. I had an insatiable obsession (although admittedly mostly with the language I still continue to hold so dear to my heart). Good times.

In an era where it seems that the web forum as a technology is nearly dead, I find it heartwarming that Tree of Souls is still around and that some people are still here.

Here's to the diehards who shall stick around until the heat death of the Internet. Here's to the dedicated Avatar fans who still proudly remember that the film Avatar exists. Who continue to wait patiently as always for the sequels which seem forever out of reach but are known to be coming. Those who have not given up hope and have found a home.

Cheers

Hello again!