The bear has always played on people's minds. I saw it happen a few years ago. During the Bull people were generous as long as they were making money. It was like a living pipedream. If I learned anything in my lifetime it is that if anything looks too good to be real then it probably won't last long. Then the bear came and people started to get protective and the community fell to pieces.
For any community to continue there needs to be a real need to be there whether if it is emotional or financial or professional but as long as the community is fulfilling the needs of the individuals the community rocks. But as soon as one feels left out or his or her needs unsatisfied they begin to look elsewhere. What complicates things is when one adds to the expectations they came with in the beginning or take for granted the privileges they have now.
When I came to POB it was because I noticed people actually read my blog. On Hive I had some people reading every once and while but in POB people read my blog every day. When I learned that POB was worth something I didn't mind having to wade through the lugging front end to post because I knew I would find rewards. I don't think many of us could make a living on POB but it POB rewards sure help.