I should tell you that I have started a review for this topic several times and never finished. I guess I was waiting for this day.
A bit more than two weeks ago, my mother had a heart attack and I had to face the possibility of her loss. (She is doing well now). Eight Days ago, the terrorist attacks on the US made us all feel vulnerable and unsafe. Then last weekend, Mouthshut disappeared. I don’t want to suggest that this event compares to the other two but it seemed that at every turn there was loss and this caused me to reflect on the influence of a single website on my life.
The first few hours I couldn’t get in I thought the web was slow. When I came back that evening-maybe a server problem? By the next morning, worry set in. I suspect before the events of last week I would have cursed the web and wondered if MS had gone the way of other sites and slipped away without warning. But at this particular time my mind went to concern. Was there something happening in India that I had missed? Was everyone ok? I posted on a MS group at Yahoo. Was anyone getting in? Had anyone heard? After 2 days, I finally did get a message when I tried to access the site-’’under maintainence’’. Right around the same time Rosie received and posted an email she received. Yes, MS was ok, broken but ok.
This all got me thinking-what is it about Mouthshut that is different? Why would it’s loss be more than just another web site down the tubes? My answer-People. Here is a site with a management that is responsive to concerns, always vigilant for abuse and one that sees it’s members have a need to express themselves about a topic completely outside it’s stated area and creates a topic overnight. (Sadly lost in the server problems). Here is a site where the members take the time to comment and share experiences. Here new members are welcomed and offered help to adjust to the ways of MS. Emails fly back and forth offering encouragement. This is a place of friendship that transcends cultures and nations.
So, in all the chaos, I’m reassured that this island of caring is still here. To not be able to see the world through the eyes of all the dear people here would be a loss indeed.