@Christine Vulpes
It's hard to tell if I feel different [about today] because I'm getting older, or because things truly are not the same as they used to be.
It's both, really. Ten years ago you basically had to be hazed in order to get into a conversation with anyone. I can't really say it's changed for some pockets of individuals, but ten years is a huge leap of time for things and people to change. Sites are easy to access, policies change, people come and go from all different walks of life... you're going through your own. You are becoming more aware of things you may not have had exposure to, and new life challenges/problems to overcome.
That tight knit feeling of being part of something isn't really a feeling I get anymore, especially not on modern social media sites. Twitter and similar networks just feel like an unordered torrent of chaos. Anything shared there is just tossed into the wind and instantly forgotten. I get no sense of community from those, only a sense of isolation. Nothing really seems to matter and nothing really goes anywhere. Discussions can't have depth, or even if they do, it doesn't matter because it's all just temporary entertainment for people that crave constant stimulation. It's no wonder people feel so bad today, if nothing is of consequence. If the only way to be seen is to do something outrageous, and even then, it won't matter. I think we need that sense of belonging and meaning, and Twitter (and the like) provides neither. It only makes you unhappy.
I could argue that no fandom (as a whole) has ever been organized and welcoming, but the question is, are you looking for a sense of belonging in a digital space, or something a little more local? Do you know that you are loved/care for yourself? I can definitely agree that 99.99% of online relationships are impersonal and most of them have been 5+ year investments that have left me empty-handed every time, but it's either I give up and never succeed, or I keep trying and make my own happiness.
The fandom used to be about escapism - about dreaming yourself away to a different world inhabited by these wonderful anthropomorphic beings. And now, instead, people exploit it to further whatever dogma they happen to have fallen victim for, whether that be political or religious. It creeps me out, and it makes me very upset and disappointed people would tarnish it that way.
I can definitely agree that there is more political mud-slinging than most would like, but it can be helpful to pay attention sometimes. Especially if they decide to change some laws that might affect your corner of the internet. DX Religion is easy enough to avoid though. Unless you provoke the conversation, you can just click and move on.
If people are using the fandom as a coping mechanism (and not for any other reason like it being fun or something), then it's no surprise that things start to look dull after a few years. You've seen and done everything it's had to offer and if you're still unhappy, either you've got something like depression, or you have yet to tackle the real underlying issue. I personally went through something similar with RP in general. I'd seen and learned everything there was to learn. Everyone used the same vocabulary and made the same characters (people REALLY like to stick with classics with no deviation whatsoever). I was bored and disappointed. I had this idea that I would never find an RP to look forward to ever again, so instead of just waiting for someone to impress me, I dedicated that extra time to chipping away at my own stories. Been a lot happier that way, too!
The fandom can still be about escapism/fun. You just have to make it for yourself, and not what everyone else thinks.