I'm just glad there are so many members. I don't very often have anything to add to the conversation, but I rely on the Gulch for mental nourishment.

Admin mentioned not long ago that total members were about 20,000 and that was the source of my WAG estimate. As you concluded, the pie chart does indicate that most activity (as indicated by points, not posts) comes from a few hundred members. The majority are not active in posting, but above sdesapio (admin) mentions that the Gulch gets more than 3000 visitors a day, and 15,000 are subscribed to daily digest email. So there appears to be quite a bit of interest from members who are less vociferous.

20k members seems a little unlikely. I'm not an admin, but I'd be surprised if there are as many as 2,000 posts per week on the whole site (I'd guess half that). Are there that many lurkers who never post?

If I had to guess at the total membership, I'd put it at 3-400 active people (meaning those who post at least once a week).

I bet that he jumped for joy!!! -- j

p.s. I haven't had this much fun since I stole
an afternoon's worth of gas for my go-cart
by draining the hoses at the Esso station
in my neighborhood. . ethyl was selling for
15.9 cents per gallon, then.

FFA - there's a fine line between engaging people in discussion and stalking them [from an intensely shy person]. When I greet someone into Introductions, I usually ask them a question, but I've never gotten anything back. Maybe they can't figure out how to do that. But a more organized, concerted effort to cultivate the newbies [somewhat like rich is doing] might work. Maybe even something as simple as HI! Welcoe etc. The post at the top of the "hot" category is xxxxxx. Take a look and let me know what you think." There would have to be something good up, and somehow, we'd have to tell them that they'd have to post it rather than replying in the intro space....hmmm. needs work. a worthy goal.

Thats a good idea, even as a seperate area, where people could see how it works, and what it means. I went to a website that had Objectivism 101 and that seemed like a fairly simple explanation. I am not into huge dissertations on a subject. I sort of took the duck test on it...

I guess I have to do more to make it 1000+, I am only at 735, well 736 with this comment. Love the Gulch and the discourse that goes on with all. Keep it up and let's go.

Hmm I wonder if someone could come up with an "intro to objectivism" that pops up upon arrival. The new arrival could choose to watch/read it or not...but with a list of people to contact with (or some way to contact) a member with questions.. something along that line.. you might be on to something, freedom. :)

I started thinking about the "depth" of activity while considering "value'points." That's why I made the chart, but I posted it to initiate discussion on any related ideas, not just point related.
Rather than try to repeat my thinking on the points, if you have the time, review what has been discussed under the other topic. Currency Inflation in the Gulch
http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts/2a......

I do think that new members could be alerted to the posts/topics that have been most appreciated by other members (using points), a "Gulch greatest hits", and that a value point system would be more objective than the existing one. Perhaps use that as a part of an "introduction to the gulch' or primer on what is here. Links to articles written by Rand (et al) on topics of current interest or examples showing principles of objectivism.
As Scott said some people are naturally confident or outgoing, while others have to be encouraged to participate.
What do you think might help engage more people in discussion? Helping them think more confidently about their understanding of objectivism? Would an online objectivist primer with an instructor to guide discussion be helpful? Perhaps it could be paid for with value points?

FFA - I certainly support the idea of getting more people involved in discussion than we see. I'm not sure adjusting the point system is the way to do that, because if those non-posting members valued points, they would post [work] for them.
And the game show "Posting for Dollars" just jumped into my bran......

there is some discussion on creating another type of point in this topic here:
Currency Inflation in the Gulch
http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts/2a...

Please add your observations there, term2.

Its the number created from the sum of:
a) when a post or comment is made (+1)
b) when members click on the thumbs-up icon (+1)
c) when members click on the thumbs-down icon (-1)
All of these are summed for each member and shown in each member record.
Points are unlimited in aggregate, i.e., have no "cost" to members to create and are automatically created whenever posts/comments are made.
They are used to display the "top point earners" section on the upper right of this page.

I wonder if we could have a virtual gulch where members trade with each other. Maybe even trade in some alternative non-inflationary currency when the time comes. In this day and age of social media, it would seem that we could make this happen and cut the government out of taxes it collects- at least somewhat..

whats a "point"?

Sometimes I reply just to acknowledge that I read and liked the original post, even though I have nothing to add. In other words I think you said it all and said it very well.

How the activity is tracked/compiled (by the state) may also be subject to bias and/or manipulation.
If you are interested in a discussion about the way points work here in the Gulch please see this one:
http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts/2a...

Now, there's a picture I won't get out of my head for a while. 😊

Me too.

I can't speak for others, but I haven't had this much fun since my hound dog cold-nosed grandpa when he bent over to pick up the newspaper in his shorts.

Activity is good. Unfortunately, government workers all too often confuse it with accomplishment.

I had missed your earlier post freedom. I'm going to follow up on that. Thanks.

I support your goals here. whichever you choose

I find it fascinating that that many people are here every day!