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I agree many online communities can be described this way. it's certainly true of open source software development communities. But if we look at bigfootforums.com as a 'brand' that people hold a certain impression toward, we can look at the site's direct competitors for members -- say, r/bigfoot -- and see if ChatGPT gives us the same or similar description of that online community (prompt and response pasted below). Of course, this is ChatGPT and its pulling mainly from reddit for its response; there's certainly bias here -- actually, it reads like an advertisement for r/bigfoot. I'm not saying one brand's impression is better than another. Brands (including online communities) should be positioned differently to stand out as unique and attract certain customers or members (e.g., Ford vs Toyota vs Tesla). Go to X if you want this kind of experience; go to Y if you want that kind of experience. I guess my point is that bigfootforums can fix stuff internally (server crashes, search capabilities) but the external image might also need to be considered. This would depend on what image BFF wants to have among its competitors... and what kinds of members it wants to attract and retain. "Come to BFF if you want some good ole American in-your-face confrontation and arrogance. Go to r/bigfoot if you want European civility and kindness... and then kindly **** off." That's just as an example of course. Back in my marketing research days there was a story about Coca-Cola many people would paraphrase. It went something like, "The CEO of Coke once said that you can take away all of the company's facilities, equipment, people, and other assets. Just leave me the brand name and I'll be just fine." ------------------------ ChatGPT on r/bigfoot Prompt: Can you give me a description on current attitudes and perceptions people hold toward the r/bigfoot subreddit as an online community? Response: The r/bigfoot subreddit is a vibrant and inclusive online community dedicated to discussions about Bigfoot and related phenomena. Established in December 2009, the subreddit has grown to become one of the most active platforms for Bigfoot enthusiasts, researchers, and skeptics alike. Community Atmosphere and User Experiences Members of r/bigfoot appreciate the community's openness to a wide range of perspectives. The subreddit encourages civil discourse, allowing both believers and skeptics to share their views. A recent post highlights this inclusive environment, stating: "Believers and skeptics alike are welcome here, and friendly discussion is highly encouraged." reddit.com This approach fosters a respectful and engaging atmosphere where users can discuss various aspects of Bigfoot lore and research. Moderation and Governance The subreddit maintains a clear set of rules to ensure constructive discussions. The primary rule emphasizes civility:reddit.com "Please keep all discussion civil. First infraction you will get a warning. Another incident will result in a ban." reddit.com This policy helps maintain a welcoming environment for both new and long-standing members. Content and Discussions r/bigfoot hosts a diverse array of content, including personal encounter stories, analysis of audio and video evidence, discussions on folklore, and debates on the authenticity of various claims. For instance, users often engage in critical evaluations of purported Bigfoot sightings, discussing factors that may contribute to misidentification. One user questioned the tendency to label certain evidence as fake, prompting a thoughtful discussion on the criteria used to assess authenticity. lirias.kuleuven.be+1reddit.com+1reddit.com Additionally, the subreddit features lighter content, such as Bigfoot-themed art and humor, contributing to a well-rounded community experience. Overall Perception Overall, r/bigfoot is perceived as a supportive and engaging community that balances open-mindedness with critical analysis. Its inclusive nature and emphasis on respectful dialogue make it a valuable space for anyone interested in exploring the mysteries surrounding Bigfoot.

In a previous life I worked in market research, mainly conducting attitude surveys regarding brand names in various product/service categories. So when I think about changing interest levels in bigfootforums.com, I wonder about the site's brand image. In the absence of a full-blown marketing study, I just asked ChatGPT to tell me. (response pasted below, screenshot attached). Looks like there *might* be a few issues that deter new members from joining and/or sticking around. It's helpful to keep in mind that if a new (or even a long-time) member feels slighted here, they could go over to Reddit and bad-mouth bigfootforums.com. -- that one slighted member has turned off possibly hundreds of prospective members. ------------------------- ChatGPT prompt & response Prompt: Can you give me a description on current attitudes and perceptions people hold toward bigfootforums.com as an online community? Response: As of mid-2025, BigfootForums.com appears to be inactive or offline, with users reporting difficulties accessing the site since mid-2024. reddit.com Community Atmosphere and User Experiences Historically, the forum was known for its stringent registration process, requiring new members to post an introduction and limiting them to one post per day until reaching a certain threshold. This approach, while intended to deter trolls, was often described as convoluted and discouraging for newcomers. Long-time participants observed that the forum tended to be dominated by a small group of regulars who were often skeptical of outsiders. This led to perceptions of the community being grumpy, combative, and resistant to differing viewpoints. Moderation and Governance The forum's moderation was perceived as heavy-handed by some users. There were instances of users being banned without clear explanations, leading to frustration and, in one case, a user threatening legal action over their banning. thelaw.com Content and Discussions Despite these challenges, the forum hosted in-depth discussions on various Bigfoot-related topics, such as audio recordings and field studies. However, the overall tone of the community may not have been conducive to open and inclusive dialogue. Current Status Given the reported inaccessibility of the site since mid-2024, it is unclear whether BigfootForums.com will resume operations. For those seeking alternative platforms to discuss Bigfoot and related phenomena, communities like the r/bigfoot subreddit may offer a more inclusive environment.

I was a pretty prolific member for a while. I still check in semi-regularly, but don’t feel the desire to post much anymore. For me, it’s the overwhelming negativity on a topic that is supposed to be enjoyable. The overall Bigfoot community is growing larger every day, but it’s also becoming more fragmented every day as well. Even this thread, which is about why is the forum dying, is filled with complaints about pretty much everything under the Sasquatch sun. TV shows, YouTube, rehashed topics, etc. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, but there is a constant complaining that permeates the Bigfoot community that often turns into outright hostility when what are relatively minor differences arise. People who believe or have an interest in Bigfoot should have a great deal in common, but instead those minor differences of opinion cause a lot of discord. Don’t like Mountain Monsters or Expedition Bigfoot? Don’t watch it. However, shows like that plant a seed of interest in a new generation, insuring that there is a fresh crop of enthusiasts who will hopefully carry on the search. TV executives don’t really make shows geared towards real life Bigfoot researchers. Maybe just be glad that the subject has enough mainstream acceptance to make its way onto television in any form? Tired of a topic that (for you) has been beaten to death? Scroll past it. Are you a flesh and blood proponent irritated by the Woo? Are you a Woo supporter who hates the Apers? Well, at the end of the day you both have more on common with one another than you would have with a skeptic. Not to mention that we are dealing with almost zero proven facts about the phenomenon, so you both have a good chance at being somewhat correct. A lot of the members here want a more active forum, with more active participants. You can’t have that with multiple filters put into place. Anyway, I would like to see the forum become more active again. But, to do that you need new members who stick around. They need to enjoy the place to do that. Maybe start there?

Interest in many things comes in waves, ebbs and flows. Is it possible your time of joining the forum coincided with one of the peaks? I know this to be true of my own. Thinking of a parallel .. no athlete runs 4 minute miles 7 days a week. It is true of our interest here. I think the period we are in now with less interest, less bright shiny things to draw our attention, is more representative of bigfootery over the long haul. There is also a change of medium when it comes to information exchange. There are TONS of small bigfoot groups on facebook. Lot of people trying to monetize their interest which I think distracts from the larger communities like this one. There is not much to do but get out there and do your own thing in the woods.