One Last Conversation Before the Doors Close

1. 84

   Sharlee01posted 13 days ago

   
   
   Before the Lights Go Out: A Final Truthful Goodbye
   
   As we get ready to say goodbye to this place, I find myself thinking less about the articles and more about the people. For years, many of us met here day after day, not because we agreed with one another, but because the conversations mattered. We challenged each other, we irritated each other, we learned from each other, and sometimes, we even surprised each other. A lot of us made unexpected friendships, including with people we disagreed with fiercely. That doesn’t happen in many corners of the internet anymore. It meant something.
   
   That’s why the narrative floating around that “toxic words” destroyed this forum just doesn’t sit right with me. It feels like a rewrite written by people who were never really part of the heartbeat here. Yes, there were heated debates. Yes, people spoke sharply at times. But passion isn’t poison. Honest disagreement isn’t toxicity. And a forum without real conversation isn’t a forum at all, it’s a deserted hallway. The only thing that kept this place alive as long as it lasted was the fact that so many of us did show up, and we did talk, and we did care enough to voice our thoughts instead of hiding behind silence.
   
   I know some people will walk away shrugging, convinced that the end of this site is some kind of victory for “civility.” But I think that view is rooted more in bitterness than truth. The truth is that most of us came here with our own stories, frustrations, and hopes, and we found a small corner of the world where we could express them, sometimes clumsily, sometimes passionately, but always authentically. That is what made this place human. That is what made it worth returning to.
   
   So today, instead of ending quietly, I want to say this: thank you. To everyone who spoke up even when it was uncomfortable, to everyone who stayed even when the debates got messy, to everyone who listened even when you disagreed. You made this place something more than a webpage.
   
   And before the lights go out, I want to encourage anyone who hasn’t spoken yet, or who’s been holding something back, to speak now. Say what you’ve wanted to say. Share the truth you’ve been carrying. Let your voice take up space while we still have the room. This is the moment for honesty, not politeness. Let’s leave this place the way we lived in it: boldly, truthfully, not whispering into the void but speaking like we mean it.
   
   Let’s leave with a bang, not a whimper.
   
   
   Hope you will share....

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      wildernessposted 13 days agoin reply to this

      ++++

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         Sharlee01posted 12 days agoin reply to this

         Dan, I just wanted to say how much I’ve appreciated you over the years. You’ve always brought pure common sense to every discussion, delivered with that dry humor of yours that could cut through the noise better than any long speech ever could. I’ve always admired how you say exactly what you mean, no fluff, no hesitation, just the truth as you see it.
         
         It’s been a pleasure debating, laughing, and trading thoughts with you.  Wishing you nothing but the best moving forward, and hoping our paths cross again somewhere down the line. Hey ! Maybe Facebook?
         
         Shar

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   2. 83

      gmwilliamsposted 12 days agoin reply to this

      I will miss you all.  The Hubpage experience was beautiful.  I have met some wonderful people here.   As I am transferring my hubs and subsequently deleting them from Hubpages, I am actually crying.    I love you all.

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      1. 84

         Sharlee01posted 12 days agoin reply to this

         Grace,
         
         Your message touched me more than you know. I’ve always admired the way you carried yourself here, straightforward, honest, and never afraid to say exactly what you felt. That kind of authenticity is rare, and it’s one of the reasons I’ve always seen you as such a strong woman, someone with convictions she truly stands by.
         
         I’m going to miss you too. This place has been a part of our lives for so long, and seeing it come to an end is emotional for all of us. I can only imagine how hard it is for you to move your hubs and delete them; they’re pieces of your heart and your history.
         
         Please know that you’ve made a real impact here, on the community and on me. I’m grateful we met. Love back to you.
         
         Shar

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      Linda S Grimesposted 11 days agoin reply to this

      Shar—I admire your positive attitude.  Although I came late to this part of the forum, I have found the discussions interesting, especially your thorough reports.
      
      However, HubPages in general has been a great disappointment for me.  I find it incredible that a company (organization, platform, or whatever it is) could treat a group of writers in such a disgraceful way. 
      
      And while it is legal (I guess; see my reply to Rupert), it certainly is not ethical.  Ultimately, karma will assign justice to the guilty.  So all is well; it is what it is.
      
      Blessings to you, Shar, and all the others who accept blessings!

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   4. 82

      peterstreepposted 9 days agoin reply to this

      The main reason for Hubpages to close its doors: AI.
      
      Now, Hubpages (and before Squidoo) was for me a look into the American world. How ordinary Americans from different backgrounds thought about world and local (US) topics.
      I learned a lot I otherwise would never have learned through news outlets.
      Many opinions alien to an European mindset (Guns for example) other topics more close to home.
      It is sad that the last years were dominated by Donald Trump. And I hope this will pass as quickly as possible as it hasn't brought the American society and the world any good, only divisions.
      But it is time to move on. (I started fresh on Substack, and it looks like a much friendlier environment.)
      I also want to thank everybody for their insights and opinions.
      
      Stay healthy and care for the world we live in together.
      
      Joost Gerritsen

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         Sharlee01posted 9 days agoin reply to this

         Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It’s always good to hear from others who are willing to engage respectfully.

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      Credence2posted 8 days agoin reply to this

      Well, Sharlee, it has been a blast. I learned a great deal about my adversaries through your eloquent prose, make the unpalatable explainable and justifiable as that is your gift.
      
      I have looked forward to matching wits with you all, every day. Retirement can be boring with an in-firmed spouse, the forum gets the juices flowing.
      
      You often come off as Disney in promoting the America of the ideal. Still, I always saw this country as having a basically good people. But, The truth today, is not as flowery or rosy.
      
      I was watching videos of German POWs experience in American prison camps during WWII who were astounded by American  humanity, decency, and the abundance at their breakfast tables as well as the productivity and the implication of the underlying industrial capacity which many hard line Nazis had to acknowledge spelt their ultimate defeat. These people had to take a hard look at the propaganda that they were taught from the Nazi regime. I was proud to have seen that.
      
      In my opinion, we have lost our way. I can only hope that with a few political changes, we can find it again.
      
      My view of the direction this nation has been heading in is immutable, you have probably learned that by now. But the more important explanations exists in the why and wherefore. While, dialogue has been contentious at times, I try to provide an explanation. It speaks to why you and those that affiliate with you and my views are different. My background and experiences has me on totally different course.
      
      I think that the debates have been priceless, bring people and their ideas into the sunlight for close examination and inquiry.
      
      I think that there is still a little time before the door shuts, thanks go to you my allies and adversaries for a raucous great time.

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         Ken Burgessposted 7 days agoin reply to this

         It seems like just the other day, when as a wee lad... relatively speaking... I meandered my way somehow onto these HP Forums...
         
         Now back then, they were just back-drop to the interactions one could have on their articles... but they were feisty... getting people banned left and right... a Wild West of personalities.
         
         But those forums really became the 'go-to' spot for a couple of years when they took away our ability to interact to comments on our articles.
         
         Anywho... it was the likes of you, Cred, that took the time to interact and point toward different perspectives and paths we have walked to help illuminate and broaden my views and understanding.
         
         Annnd... it has been interesting to see you transform into a much more hard-lined revolutionary-like Progressive that is ready to line up all the non-believers against the wall to await your command... 'Fire!'

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            Credence2posted 7 days agoin reply to this

            Well, Ken, I am glad that we were able to mutually pick up on a few things.
            
            The transformation comes from the catalyst, Donald Trump, who has inspired me to move from somewhat left of center to a magnitude further. You don’t have to believe, but in my circumstances the positions that I take are the only ones that are palatable. Minorities are for the most part never really comfortable with conservative ideals as they have been applied to their detriment far too often.

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               gmwilliamsposted 5 days agoin reply to this

               Cred and all the others,  I enjoyed my years on Hubpages.  Hubpages was the best platform there was.  I will miss all of you.  God bless you all in your future endeavors.  I am crying profusely now as I write this.  I can't believe that Hubpages is closing down.

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                  Credence2posted 5 days agoin reply to this

                  Thanks, Grace. I will have to find another medium and I am working on it.
                  
                  Good luck to you as well….

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                  abwilliamsposted 5 days agoin reply to this

                  Best wishes Grace!
                  God Bless you.
                  May God bless, keep, and watch over our beloved cities and towns in this amazing Country of ours.
                  Til our paths may cross again, stay safe, be well!!

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2. 59

   Joel Steinnposted 13 days ago

   According to staff, forums will continue into approximately mid January.   It's a shame this platform will be shutting down. Toxic? No not at all. I've enjoyed, aside from the occasional snark, reading so many well thought out and researched posts as well as opinions.  What makes this platform so unique and so genuine is the fact that most of you have been here for many, many years.  That adds a  dimension that  the great majority of other forums are simply do not have.  It has added a level of honesty and earnestness. Really a true gem.

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   1. 84

      Sharlee01posted 12 days agoin reply to this

      Thank you for this. I’ve always felt the same; we were a bit like vinegar and oil. Different textures, different flavors, but given enough time, I think we could’ve come together to make one heck of a great salad. LOL
      
      And I say that with real affection. Just when I thought I had you figured out, poof, a new username and a fresh start. I honestly admired your fortitude. No matter what happened, you always found your way back, and you always brought something lively and unexpected with you. I got a real kick out of that.
      
      You’re absolutely right about what made this place unique. So many of us have been here for years, sharing ideas, debates, research, and yes, the occasional snark. That history gave this forum a level of honesty and earnestness you just don’t find on most platforms.
      
      I’m glad we get a little more time until January, and I’m genuinely glad our paths crossed.  you added your own unmistakable flavor to the mix.
      
      And you’ll probably find this outrageous, but some of our conversations were almost verbatim to the ones I have with my daughter. She’s very liberal, lives in Chicago, and she literally drives me crazy. LOL
      
      Shar

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3. 84

   abwilliamsposted 13 days ago

   Hear, hear Sharlee! Well said!
   I count you among the friends I have made here at HP. I, too, will miss so much about being a part of this community of writers. Fourteen years of articles which led to some great discussions, but not all.....
   some crashed and burned, and couldn't be resuscitated, no matter how hard I tried! LOL But that's all a part of it, right? We just never know - until we write about it!
   The forum discussions have been passionate, informative, maddening at times, but, mostly, fun and engaging.
   I will miss this!!
   See you on FB.

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      Sharlee01posted 13 days agoin reply to this

      Angie,
      
      Thank you so much for your kind words. I truly count you among the friends I’ve made here. I always felt your writing had something special — unique, steady, and immediately recognizable as yours. And I mean that as a real compliment. Not many writers ever develop a style that people can identify the moment they start reading, but you did.
      
      And honestly, from day one, I felt we had so much in common. I always felt I could relax and share openly with you, and that’s something I’ve truly valued.
      
      I also appreciated the calm, intelligent way you communicated here on the political forum. Even when discussions got heated, you brought clarity, reason, and a sense of steadiness that always stood out to me.
      
      I’m grateful for the friendship we’ve built over the years, and I’m so glad we’ll continue our journey together on Facebook. Here’s to new chapters, new conversations, and staying connected in all the best ways.
      
      Shar

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         abwilliamsposted 12 days agoin reply to this

         Thank you Shar, Grace isn't the only one crying...
         Love ya'll!!

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4. 86

   Jodahposted 12 days ago

   All good things eventually come to an end. It has been quite a rollercoaster ride, but some of us stuck it out to the end. I wish you well going forward, AB

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      abwilliamsposted 12 days agoin reply to this

      Yes we did! Here's to us. Cheers!

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5. 83

   gmwilliamsposted 12 days ago

   Why Hubpages is phasing out if you know.

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6. 82

   ChitrangadaSharanposted 12 days ago

   Thank you for writing this post!
   You have expressed on behalf of most of us.
   HP has shaped many of us as writers.
   Communication is the key part of any community and there are bound to be different viewpoints. But, everyone got the opportunity to express their views and that's important.
   I have always enjoyed my time at this platform, for the last 14 years, made long lasting friends, Worldwide.
   Thank you everyone for walking along with me.
   Best wishes to each one of you for your future endeavours.

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      Sharlee01posted 12 days agoin reply to this

      May the divine grace guide your steps, bring harmony to your home, and keep you surrounded by kindness and wisdom.
      
      Shar

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      Readmikenowposted 12 days agoin reply to this

      This has to be one of the nicest and insightful things I've read on Hubpages.
      
      I believe you will be a positive influence whatever you do.
      
      I'm sure you've brought a lot of smiles and happiness to everyone who has interacted with you on Hubpages.
      
      I wish you well on your journey.

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7. 59

   Rupert Taylorposted 12 days ago

   Forgive me for not jumping on the collegiality bandwagon that is passing but I am too aggrieved at the shabby treatment of writers by HubPages to have positive thoughts about the platform.
   
   When TAG bought HP it set about wringing every last drop of income out of the work of hundreds, if not thousands, of contributors. We were kept in the dark. Our legitimate complaints were ignored. And, we were consistently lied to.
   
   The layout and ad placement were changed with the sole purpose of maximizing profit and they didn't care that it made our work almost unreadable.
   
   It's good that some people made friends here but from the point of view of a writer it became a very unpleasant experience.

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      Kathleen Cochranposted 12 days agoin reply to this

      I long ago gave up on any thought of making money here. But I write to be read, and to that end it has been a fulfilling experience.
      
      "It feels like a rewrite written by people who were never really part of the heartbeat here." Condescending and judgmental to the end.

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      Sharlee01posted 12 days agoin reply to this

      Rupert,    Rupert, thank you for taking the time to leave such an honest comment. It certainly offers the other side of the coin regarding how writers have been treated. I agree with your sentiments about the way we were handled. I added the thread simply as a place where we could share our thoughts, as you have done.
      
      And to the people who joined in here at the Political Forum, thank you for sharing your final sentiments. I never had the pleasure of meeting you, Rupert, but I can tell we would have hit it off. I also tend to shoot from the hip.   
      
      Shar

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      Linda S Grimesposted 11 days agoin reply to this

      I asked Claude about the legality of what HubPages has done to its writers and got this response:
      
      From a legal standpoint, what HubPages and The Arena Group have done appears to be technically legal, though ethically questionable. Here's why:
      
      The legal framework:
      
      When authors signed up for HubPages, The Arena Group included terms in their Terms of Service granting themselves a worldwide, non-exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works, display, and perform author content Change.orgHubPages Help. This essentially gave them broad rights to do almost anything with the content.
      
      Why writers feel betrayed:
      
      Authors believed they retained ownership of their content when they originally signed up for HubPages, but The Arena Group quietly changed the terms to allow them to republish content to their own directly managed properties Change.orgHubPages Help. Writers report that The Arena Group has been taking original articles and spinning them through AI technology, presenting them as The Arena Group's own work, sometimes even taking over the original URLs HubPages.
      
      Legal protections they built in:
      
      The Arena Group's terms of service require arbitration before any legal matters can proceed, making the process extremely difficult for original content creators Change.org. This effectively shields them from class action lawsuits and makes individual legal action prohibitively expensive for most writers.
      
      The reality:
      
      While writers technically agreed to these terms when they signed up (or when the terms were updated), many didn't realize what they were agreeing to. The platform essentially took a revenue-sharing model and gradually transformed it into one where they could use AI to rewrite author content and keep the profits. Unfortunately, no formal lawsuits have been filed yet Change.org, likely due to the arbitration requirements and the cost of legal action.
      
      It's legal because writers technically consented through the Terms of Service, but many argue it's exploitative and unethical—especially the shift away from supporting writers who built the platform's content library.

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         Sharlee01posted 8 days agoin reply to this

         Cred, your words touched me more than you may realize. Over the years, through all the spirited debates and lively back-and-forth,  I came to truly hear you, not just your arguments but the experiences and convictions behind them. You always offered more than many noticed at first glance, and I’ve grown to appreciate the depth in what you shared.
         
         I have genuinely enjoyed our conversations. I’m not sure if you noticed, but as time went on, I found myself becoming more open to understanding,  just as I feel you did, in your own way. We came from different directions, different histories, yet somehow we managed to meet again and again in that space where ideas collide and occasionally soften.
         
         I hope more people will take the time to share themselves as you did. I always felt you would, eventually. I just knew you would.
         
         Like you, I see a nation divided, fraying at the edges. And yet I’m choosing to keep stretching my arms across that divide,  reaching out, hoping others will reach back. If enough of us try, perhaps our hands can meet in the middle once more.
         
         Thank you for the years of spirited wit, candor, and challenge. It has been a privilege to share this space with you, both as an adversary and, unexpectedly, as a companion in thought. May the door stay open just long enough for all of us to rediscover our better selves again.
         
         Shar

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8. 86

   GA Andersonposted 11 days ago

   We didn't get to finish our last conversation (the 'rising tide ... all boats ...' thing), but you had me, hands down. At the first sputter, I knew you had bumped me off my point and onto yours (of argument).
   
   Given my 'contravened' condition, it must have been too easy. You were still wrong, and you even provided the (forewarned) opening to wreck your own argument; a poor word choice, but my point was already lost.
   
   When you asked Ali about 'free-floating ships on the ocean,' (your coup de grace attempt), I saw a real pro in action. Here she was, walking into the room cold, into the middle of a lively conversation between the two of us (something she's familiar with), and without skipping a beat, instantly knew what you were trying to do—I was proud of both of you.
   
   "What ships and anchors?" she asks. Bam. Pandemonium. You were trying to over-talk her with, 'Wait, I meant ..', and I was trying to get his Allie's attention, like 'See, "ships," "anchors," oceans ...'. Nobody was talking about ships and anchors,  it's boats and tides. '
   
   Having some time to think about it, I was almost ready to let it pass, but, nah. Your argument could use some practice. (and boredom demands attention)
   
   Anyway, two nights later, 3 am, eyes popped open, wide awake. We spent over two hours talking —in my head— about why your application didn’t work. The issue isn't that your use of the idiom as an economic analogy is comparable to the realities of Physics, it is that those same Laws will retard as strongly as they promote. Those ‘boats’ must be capable of “rising.”
   
   I think I found a starting point we can agree on: The actual words of the idiom, its generally accepted meaning, and maybe, an image to illustrate the 'public's visualization of what the idiom means.
   
   Of course, you might think I have the advantage because I answered for you, but I was fair. We both know each other's biases. And I did have something to do with forming and training that brain of yours, and your sister’s too. You know I'm always fair. You just didn't like having to stay on track. A rising tide will not lift all boats in your example.
   
   Dad

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      Sharlee01posted 11 days agoin reply to this

      GA, that was quite a comment to stumble across on the goodbye thread. I appreciate the thought you put into it,  it really was a doozie. A little scary, a little “final gotcha,” and definitely something I’ll let my therapist unpack someday. It honestly read like a psychological mystery thriller.
      
      For what it’s worth, I always enjoyed our back-and-forths, even when we were talking past each other or getting tangled up in idioms. You’ve always pushed things in interesting directions, and I do value that.
      
      Since the site is closing, I’m glad we managed to get one last round in. I’ve always known I ticked you off a bit, and I used to wonder if you’d ever finally let loose on me,  but you never did. I guess you were the only one who won that silent fight. Good to see gentlemen still are out there.  Shar

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9. 69

   IslandBitesposted 11 days ago

   This was a well spent time.
   
   A great exercise.
   I thought I knew what partisan division was, fights over politics, etc. Until I started reading and posting here.  What I knew was nothing. Some minutes of bickering followed by laughs, silly conversations, singing, dancing… I had no idea how much hatred political ideologies could provoke. How divided a country could be. How f*cked up a country could be over who gets in power every few years.
   
   It also showed me how some apparently smart and “decent people” can also be so cruel, bigots and racists. And how much racism is still alive.
   
   Then, a sudden sigh of relief. I still smile at how good we have it here, on my Island. And it gave another reason to be so happy of being Puerto Rican and to be so proud of my people. So, Thank You!
   
   It’s been fun. There are still good people in the world. I was happy to interact with some of them here. I hope you know who you are.
   
   I wish you all good luck.
   Try being more human and less partisan.
   
   PS: Funny story, I never thought of myself as a liberal, progressive. I never was called by any of those words. Not because I wasn't, but because that's not an issue here. So, I never had the need to think about it. So, that was new. (The US is so divided, it needs categories for everything.)
   I hope for a more happy and less divided country for your kids and grandkids.

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10. 59

    Rupert Taylorposted 11 days ago

    Linda - Thank you for the legal information. I always assumed TAG would cover their rear ends with legalese, I didn't expect them to behave so unethically. Naive is my middle name - actually it's John - but you get my drift.
    
    If we are looking for someone to blame here let me put forward the name of Manoj Bhargava. He is a billionaire (of course) and majority owner of TAG. He has a background that is - what's the word?- dodgy will have to do. Anti-trust and advertising investigations, an ugly lawsuit over Sports Illustrated, tax evasion investigation, etc. He made a fortune out of an "energy rehydration" (water?) business that has been under investigation for product safety issues.
    
    https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/21/five-ho … 7e5e2f6df1
    
    I have spent the major part of four days copying to .pdf and deleting my content to keep it out of the grasp of HubPages. All 1,163 page, and without breaks to play Bookworm.
    
    (If you are not familiar with this game, I suggest never getting started. It's addictive."Try it once," they said. "you won't get hooked." And, now look where I am)
    
    However, why is there that annoying little squeak in the back of my brain that says HP will still find a way of robbing me?

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