As for December 14th, 2012 Yahoo has closed its chat network, and eliminated its support for its shout box app.
Predictably this has sent many people in an uproar, as for many yahoo chat was the preferred chat-room network. While other alternatives exist it will be a difficult transition to make for a good number of people. Myself included.
It should be said that yahoo chat did have its share of faults. Weather it was the humans who braved like trolls, the legions of bots shilling numerous questionable links; and the requests that some would make that would occasionally cause others to question their faith in humanity. Yet for all its faults there were many genuinely good people. Uniquely memorable experiences and a sense of community and familiarity that was all its own.
I first discovered BDSM in these rooms. These rooms served as a catalyst for both exploration and experimentation.
It was in these rooms that I discovered and befriend many people (who have come and gone), over the years. Each with their own views, their own desires and motivations for exploring and indulging in BDSM. Including a special friend who went by the name evanescentdesire.
She is someone who I befriended, mentored and keep in touch with regularly. It was she who encouraged me start this blog. As she felt that the my perspective on BDSM was something that should be shared with others. It was her faith in the value of my thoughts that I keep this blog going, even though my updates are not so frequent. Its in this spirit that I go to the effort of being accessible to those who have questions. Be means of email or by means of the now-no-longer-supported shout box.
For me personally, the loss of the shoutbox is a bigger blow than losing the chat rooms. The shoutbox allowed for people who came across my blog to interact directly and anonymously with me in real time. Through the shoutbox I’ve met and befriend a few people as well. The shoutbox feature demonstrated that there was a real person available to chat about a topic that in many cases was a closely held secret. It was also a pleasant surprise (though a bit jarring to the reader as well) to say hello when I became aware that someone had activated the shoutbox, weather intentionally or not.
The loss of yahoo chat is a great one. It is akin to losing a cherished hangout to decay or development. A separation from a world that for all its flaws was refuge for many, many people. The time has come to move, to move forward, to explore other things, to venture into strange new worlds.
Weather its another virtual world, or real, waking world outside your doorstep. The time has come to boldly go into the unknown and explore, always moving forward. Acknowledging the past, but not allowing yourself to be consumed by it.
Bon Voyage to you all.
Sir Chance. December 17th, 2012.
