The Lemon Fool

I have just taken the trouble to log in before I go to bed. The Quick links send me to anything but 'Shares, Investment and Personal Discussion Forums'.

I joined TMF because it was mainly about shares and peoples' views about shares and investments and so on, not about say wars in Europe or the price of soap. TLF claims to have taken over where TMF left off but it does not. On investment matters it is primarily HYP and on everything else ........well it depends on what is topical.

Dod

I headed this thread as I did just because that is true. I like the site but the content is less than inspiring.

Dod

If there is something particular that you would like to discuss, then why not start a discussion?

I am a passive investor (although I tweak which specific funds I invest in a little, depending on how the market is looking each month, and for other reasons), so I don't get involved in any of the HYP or individual share discussions. For passive investing, there is perhaps not quite so much to discuss, once you have asked for, or offered, some initial guidance. Depending on members' individual investment styles or strategies, there may be more or fewer discussions about different aspects of investing from time to time, that's just how it goes, I guess.

I'm sure many of us find some of the other boards also of some interest: these help to build community, and similar sorts of "off topic" boards are not uncommon in many forums. But again, it's up to individual members to start or contribute to discussions, none of us owe each other anything, after all (apart from nods of thanks to the moderators and site admins, of course).

dave559 wrote:If there is something particular that you would like to discuss, then why not start a discussion?

I am a passive investor (although I tweak which specific funds I invest in a little, depending on how the market is looking each month, and for other reasons), so I don't get involved in any of the HYP or individual share discussions. For passive investing, there is perhaps not quite so much to discuss, once you have asked for, or offered, some initial guidance. Depending on members' individual investment styles or strategies, there may be more or fewer discussions about different aspects of investing from time to time, that's just how it goes, I guess.

I'm sure many of us find some of the other boards also of some interest: these help to build community, and similar sorts of "off topic" boards are not uncommon in many forums. But again, it's up to individual members to start or contribute to discussions, none of us owe each other anything, after all (apart from nods of thanks to the moderators and site admins, of course).

If you follow this site, you will see that I contribute from time to time. I just find it at times (apart from IDP) that at times, there is not a lot of investment discussions. Everything seems to be dominated by Covid or some political theme. Very boring.

Dod

Dod101 wrote:
TLF claims to have taken over where TMF left off but it does not.

It rescued a community Dod, and for that we should be grateful, because it gave a new home to a fantastic group of people that was basically thrown onto the streets otherwise, when the Motley Fool discussion boards previously closed down.

Unfortunately, the main long-term problem with the Lemon Fool is a structural one, because it's a simple and unfortunate fact that neither of the two Lemon Fool owners, or the chief moderator, are actually all that interested in investing...

The Motley Fool were interested in investing, and that interest and passion, and direct involvement with the community in that area of interest, clearly helped to drive the TMF investment-based discussion boards to be the thriving community it was, and it should come as no surprise that the absence of that structural investment-based interest has allowed our new home to quickly develop into just another argumentative twitter-fest...

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

I think having so many sub forums, most of which have nothing to do with finance is definitely not helping. Most of them need merging or deleting. But if you take away all the non finance postings, you have very little left. And the forum dies. I think the inevitable life cycle*** of an internet forum is such that TLF is now in it's autumnal phase. It happens. I doubt much can be done. Just enjoy what you can, while you can.

*** Greatly accelerated by social media websites/apps the last decade or so.

Itsallaguess wrote:

Dod101 wrote:
TLF claims to have taken over where TMF left off but it does not.

It rescued a community Dod, and for that we should be grateful, because it gave a new home to a fantastic group of people that was basically thrown onto the streets otherwise, when the Motley Fool discussion boards previously closed down.

Unfortunately, the main long-term problem with the Lemon Fool is a structural one, because it's a simple and unfortunate fact that neither of the two Lemon Fool owners, or the chief moderator, are actually all that interested in investing...

The Motley Fool were interested in investing, and that interest and passion, and direct involvement with the community in that area of interest, clearly helped to drive the TMF investment-based discussion boards to be the thriving community it was, and it should come as no surprise that the absence of that structural investment-based interest has allowed our new home to quickly develop into just another argumentative twitter-fest...

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

I responded but my reply seemed top have disappeared.

These are interesting and helpful comments IAAG. Worth pondering. I am not complaining (well I probably am) but I think BullDog may have a point; that there are just too many non finance topics. It seems to me however that it is no longer a site primarily dealing with Shares, Investments and Personal Finance.

Dod

Dod101 wrote:

Itsallaguess wrote:

Dod101 wrote:
TLF claims to have taken over where TMF left off but it does not.

It rescued a community Dod, and for that we should be grateful, because it gave a new home to a fantastic group of people that was basically thrown onto the streets otherwise, when the Motley Fool discussion boards previously closed down.

Unfortunately, the main long-term problem with the Lemon Fool is a structural one, because it's a simple and unfortunate fact that neither of the two Lemon Fool owners, or the chief moderator, are actually all that interested in investing...

The Motley Fool were interested in investing, and that interest and passion, and direct involvement with the community in that area of interest, clearly helped to drive the TMF investment-based discussion boards to be the thriving community it was, and it should come as no surprise that the absence of that structural investment-based interest has allowed our new home to quickly develop into just another argumentative twitter-fest...

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

I responded but my reply seemed top have disappeared.

These are interesting and helpful comments IAAG. Worth pondering. I am not complaining (well I probably am) but I think BullDog may have a point; that there are just too many non finance topics. It seems to me however that it is no longer a site primarily dealing with Shares, Investments and Personal Finance.

Dod

(My bold) I think that's beyond doubt. Fact is, without general chat, the forum will close since that's by far the majority of posts made.

I started a thread a while back on the same point - not much finance discussions anymore. Someone replied to the effect that the average users are old codgers and know everything there is to know about investing

Apart from the user profile, I think another issue is a steady decline in active and hyp investing and growth in passive. Ive given up trying to beat the market and my portfolio is passive so I don't need to do anything except check prices occasionally, put in each month and an annual tax return. Which in a way is good as think about money less and concentrate on other life things.

Dod101 wrote:I have just taken the trouble to log in before I go to bed. The Quick links send me to anything but 'Shares, Investment and Personal Discussion Forums'.

I joined TMF because it was mainly about shares and peoples' views about shares and investments and so on, not about say wars in Europe or the price of soap. TLF claims to have taken over where TMF left off but it does not. On investment matters it is primarily HYP and on everything else ........well it depends on what is topical.

Dod

Hi Dod,

I hope you're well. Will you be enjoying some time in the East later this year? Covid has been an extremely limiting issue and I'm aware of its negative impact. My Mum was isolated for the last two years of her life. She was an extremely active person before Covid. My sadness is made much worse knowing that Covid has not just focused on Mum. We have all had to pay a price and some more than others.

I know I can be very trite when I talk with others. It's not because I am not trying. But my efforts to communicate will always be a work-in-progress and I hope other Fools can work with or around this for me please.

I'd like to respond to your post please. It could be a waste of my time. Or alternatively and as I want to view it, it is an investment. A different form of investment I know, but nonetheless it's my time and I can chose how I spend that commodity. I can only hope that the returns bring additional value to my life. I'd hate to review my portfolio in a year or two and find my investment strategy needs a huge overhaul. It has literally taken me a lifetime to get this far with it.

TLF offers a diverse arena of conversation. It cannot and never will be all things to all wo/men. For the most the community is reasonably tolerant and supportive. It is a community though. That means there will be a diversity of interests. I can't validate my posting behaviour on TLF. I post and talk about what is of interest to me. I'm struggling to see how that can be offensive to others. And it's simple enough to block me as a poster if another poster finds me less than interesting. I hasten to add, albeit very much tongue in cheek, we could always have a "banish him" button for being too damn trite

You're a good person Dod. I don't have to say that. I need to say it though. At any level I look at this I need to say it. May I suggest that your investment in TLF appears to have made some positive returns.

Take care

AiY(D)

I spent most of my career in personal finance and investment, but it's something I very rarely post about here. I come here precisely for the breadth of the general chat. That and the very evident intelligence and experience of most of our number.

If I want discussions loaded with slagging off, bullying, vapid superficiality and most of all ignorance, there's no shortage of that on the established social media. It just happens that I don't.

BJ

AsleepInYorkshire wrote:

Dod101 wrote:I have just taken the trouble to log in before I go to bed. The Quick links send me to anything but 'Shares, Investment and Personal Discussion Forums'.

I joined TMF because it was mainly about shares and peoples' views about shares and investments and so on, not about say wars in Europe or the price of soap. TLF claims to have taken over where TMF left off but it does not. On investment matters it is primarily HYP and on everything else ........well it depends on what is topical.

Dod

Hi Dod,

I hope you're well. Will you be enjoying some time in the East later this year? Covid has been an extremely limiting issue and I'm aware of its negative impact. My Mum was isolated for the last two years of her life. She was an extremely active person before Covid. My sadness is made much worse knowing that Covid has not just focused on Mum. We have all had to pay a price and some more than others.

I know I can be very trite when I talk with others. It's not because I am not trying. But my efforts to communicate will always be a work-in-progress and I hope other Fools can work with or around this for me please.

I'd like to respond to your post please. It could be a waste of my time. Or alternatively and as I want to view it, it is an investment. A different form of investment I know, but nonetheless it's my time and I can chose how I spend that commodity. I can only hope that the returns bring additional value to my life. I'd hate to review my portfolio in a year or two and find my investment strategy needs a huge overhaul. It has literally taken me a lifetime to get this far with it.

TLF offers a diverse arena of conversation. It cannot and never will be all things to all wo/men. For the most the community is reasonably tolerant and supportive. It is a community though. That means there will be a diversity of interests. I can't validate my posting behaviour on TLF. I post and talk about what is of interest to me. I'm struggling to see how that can be offensive to others. And it's simple enough to block me as a poster if another poster finds me less than interesting. I hasten to add, albeit very much tongue in cheek, we could always have a "banish him" button for being too damn trite

You're a good person Dod. I don't have to say that. I need to say it though. At any level I look at this I need to say it. May I suggest that your investment in TLF appears to have made some positive returns.

Take care

AiY(D)

Thanks for that AiY. There is very little that is offensive on TLF and I would never suggest that there is, but I think Adamski may have a point. As one of the old codgers, maybe it is just me and others like me. Of course the rise of passive investing may be part of it, I do not know, but I have certainly picked up ideas from this site, and of course before that from TMF, and have found that helpful. I suspect that for the more or less active investor this is probably the main benefit. I guess that there is probably little that the owners can do but it is a shame that Covid and now Ukraine are dominating everything else, or so it seems anyway.

BTW BJ, who said anything about wanting 'discussions loaded with slagging off etc'? I certainly did not and I doubt that anyone seriously wants that. You would think I was complaining about that lack of that. Presumably you mean that a less well ordered site would degenerate into that? It probably would but I do not understand how these comments are relevant to what I am saying.

Dod

I came here (and TMF before) to engage in investment matters. Sadly there are fewer apparently interested in such matters and discussions. Inevitably with that reduced engagement and fewer replies to posts any incentive to continue diminishes too. A downward spiral once started gathers momentum and is hard to stop. I post much less frequently on Boards in Investors' Roundtable or Sectors & General Share Dealing now.

There is probably some truth to the suggestion the site's owners and moderators aren't natural investors being partially why the site is what it is, despite its sub-heading. Ultimately the community decides what this will look like, but I fear I am closer to exiting it than increasing my engagement.

The posts on diverse subjects by contributors with specialist knowledge are very valuable.

Itsallaguess wrote:

Dod101 wrote:
TLF claims to have taken over where TMF left off but it does not.

It rescued a community Dod, and for that we should be grateful, because it gave a new home to a fantastic group of people that was basically thrown onto the streets otherwise, when the Motley Fool discussion boards previously closed down.

Unfortunately, the main long-term problem with the Lemon Fool is a structural one, because it's a simple and unfortunate fact that neither of the two Lemon Fool owners, or the chief moderator, are actually all that interested in investing...

The Motley Fool were interested in investing, and that interest and passion, and direct involvement with the community in that area of interest, clearly helped to drive the TMF investment-based discussion boards to be the thriving community it was, and it should come as no surprise that the absence of that structural investment-based interest has allowed our new home to quickly develop into just another argumentative twitter-fest...

Beh, I don't think that's correct or fair. It may be true that the two Lemon Fool owners aren't that interested in investing but they still set up TLF as an echo of TMF with all its investing boards, and I very much doubt that anyone decides whether to post or not based on the interests of the owners, so I really don't see that you can put it down to them.

I do agree, however, that there is a "structural" difference, which is nothing to do with the "interests" of the owners but rather with the fact that TLF stands alone as a site, whereas the TMF boards hung off of a major site that was all about investing anyway. If the TLF owners could make a deal with, say, Halifax Share Dealing such that TLF somehow hung off the HSDL site I'm sure there'd be a lot more new investing users and their chatter. (Just an example and not that I believe HSDL would be in the slightest bit interested!)

But in any case, I'm not convinced that there's a lot less investing chatter here than on TMF. With the exception of the HY ones I follow much the same boards here as I did there and, indeed, the HY boards made up the vast bulk of the investment chatter on TMF, so maybe it's actually just the HY boards that are dying off?

It varies.

I rarely visit HYP, and when I do half of what I see appears to be discussion not of investing but of what's on or off topic for the HYP boards. ISTR that was also true on TMF (with the addition of Aviva-man), so I infer a strong dogmatic element within that community.

I absolutely follow the moderately-busy VCT board here: it has indeed continued largely where TMF left off. And much of several other investment boards, such as ITs/UTs. These are after all the core contents that distinguish Lemonfool from general-purpose social media.

But just as conversation in an office strays beyond the immediate topic of the work for which staff are employed, so conversation in an online forum can reasonably be expected to range more widely. I welcome the existence of other boards here (like this one) and participate in some.

dealtn wrote:I came here (and TMF before) to engage in investment matters. Sadly there are fewer apparently interested in such matters and discussions. Inevitably with that reduced engagement and fewer replies to posts any incentive to continue diminishes too. A downward spiral once started gathers momentum and is hard to stop. I post much less frequently on Boards in Investors' Roundtable or Sectors & General Share Dealing now.

There is probably some truth to the suggestion the site's owners and moderators aren't natural investors being partially why the site is what it is, despite its sub-heading. Ultimately the community decides what this will look like, but I fear I am closer to exiting it than increasing my engagement.

I think that your skills and knowledge on the subject of investing are probably immensely more than most. I'm confident there's nothing I could talk to you about regarding investment that would be of any use for you. But if you asked me to comment on the costs of your new stand at the east end of the grounds I'd have half a chance of being of some help

AiY(D)

AsleepInYorkshire wrote:

dealtn wrote:I came here (and TMF before) to engage in investment matters. Sadly there are fewer apparently interested in such matters and discussions. Inevitably with that reduced engagement and fewer replies to posts any incentive to continue diminishes too. A downward spiral once started gathers momentum and is hard to stop. I post much less frequently on Boards in Investors' Roundtable or Sectors & General Share Dealing now.

There is probably some truth to the suggestion the site's owners and moderators aren't natural investors being partially why the site is what it is, despite its sub-heading. Ultimately the community decides what this will look like, but I fear I am closer to exiting it than increasing my engagement.

I think that your skills and knowledge on the subject of investing are probably immensely more than most. I'm confident there's nothing I could talk to you about regarding investment that would be of any use for you. But if you asked me to comment on the costs of your new stand at the east end of the grounds I'd have half a chance of being of some help

AiY(D)

Did I mention that? I am usually consciously reticent in divulging specifics about my "day job", but it is on the East side and got Building Control sign off on Sunday. Have I been indiscreet? Or just a lucky guess?

I don't see the point of talking down this wonderful site. There are a few ignorant, self-satisfied posters who are on my ignore list and that deals with their pointless posts and infuriating selfishness and/or obtuseness.

There is nowhere else that I'm aware of that is this site's equal.

I agree with @CliffEdge
I stumbled across it last year
and have found it useful because it covers MORE than just finance
There are also areas on here that I am not interested in so guess what, I just don't read those posts
There are also a bunch of great posters on here so you can learn and have fun at the same time