Ready for the big time?

[Deleted User]1_teddybear (deleted user)
in General

Ok, i've heard that the current membership is around 400k, most of which are not currently active. But my question is, if we got some serious publicity and 4 million wanted to join, is the infrastructure robust enough to handle the increased membership and traffic? This is even assuming the same distribution of pros versus enthusiasts.

Comments

  • [Deleted User]WriterGF (deleted user)

    You'd need a ton more moderators if you assume the same (or higher) percentage of trolls joining.

  • SideonSideon

    A jump from 400k to 4 million? I would run screaming for the door. Seriously. And this is speaking as an enthusiast.

    I like and appreciate the tight-knit community here and seeing the growth and progression of different constituents. I like that consent has become a natural part of language that is used here. I like the goofy threads that have nothing to do with cuddling. I like the growth the site has experienced organically through word of mouth, through news articles, through interviews, through Youtube videos/influencers, etc.

    Speaking as a moderator, we have scaled the moderator team, and we'd certainly do so again if we did experience exponential growth. But if CC became 4 million users, no thanks. I'm a city boy with a country heart - I like to know my town, and 4 million is not fathomable to me.

    No offense to numbers-centric kind of guys, but bigger (numbers) does not mean better.

    [Sid now reports himself for a (potentially) offensive double entendre and exits stage left.]

  • [Deleted User]1_teddybear (deleted user)

    @WriterGF granted, and I nominate you as one of the new batch of moderators

  • [Deleted User]1_teddybear (deleted user)

    @Sideon That makes sense I suppose, and for those who have local cuddle partners, the current situation is quite wonderful I expect. But for people who are not in California, Texas, or New york, it seems less than ideal. Still, I understand the situation and why you like keeping things organizationally intimate.

  • SideonSideon

    @1_teddybear - I am but one of several mods and can only speak for myself. Your post made me pause though, because I was imagining the current volume of reports and tickets, times 10... and my brain fried thinking about it. I do empathize with those who are not in major metro areas.

    One strategy that has worked for a lot of people is being flexible when traveling for work or pleasure. Plan ahead. Make contact and connections 4-8 weeks prior. Then make connections happen when you're in their part of the world. There's something to be said about making the world a little smaller and less intimidating.

  • [Deleted User]1_teddybear (deleted user)
    edited April 2023

    @Sideon administering a site 10 times bigger does sound daunting. It's not a job I would relish. Perhaps that is another future application of ChatGPT? Cuddle-Admin to keep all those errant humans in line.

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel
    edited April 2023

    @1_teddybear Bringing in AI to a site built on finding human connection. You don’t see anything off about that?

    No thank you. I like the creative and sarcastic human @Sideon, not the faint imitation that bleeds algorithms.

    Here is where I discover @Sideon is AI.

  • cuddlefaerycuddlefaery

    There is a logical fallacy in thinking that raising membership will necessarily raise the membership in currently low membership areas - the areas that have low number of cuddlers will continue to remain as such and the ones that have a high number will just gain more.

    The best way to encourage local participation is through local advocacy and visibility - not nationwide advertising campaigns. Set up local "Free Hug" booths at local events. Host cuddle parties (just be aware of infringing on official Cuddle Party™️ unless you want to certify as a host with them). Post flyers on local community boards. Join local Facebook, Nextdoor, and Meetup groups and name drop CC and platonic cuddling like crazy. Network with other local cuddle enthusiasts where you're able even if not compatible as cuddle partners. Put out free ads on Craigslist and other classified ad spaces. There's hundreds of ways to get grassroots movements off the ground on a local level, but most of them involve WORK by locals for locals, not relying on international companies to do it for them.

    @Sideon I think I'm having PTSD nightmares from moderating on various Reddit groups right now... shudders

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