Perhaps people lurk around and subsequently visit on a very regular basis due to the fact that they yearn for that human connection. I know some people here sort of live for validation of themselves, as musicians or as a human beings in general, because I guess it's in their character that they have low self-esteem.
That's why you find some people get very touchy if you post something that kinda disagrees with these people's take on things, when it is quite obvious that you don't have to agree on all things to maintain harmony and civility but I guess people don't like to think that 'they are wrong', when there are no clear 'right' or 'wrong' with some things. Some things are purely subjective, situational and circumstantial.
Me? If you look at my posts, I rarely have something to say if it is about music technicality because firstly, I am not an instrumentalist. I do not specifically play the guitar, or the bass guitar or the drums or the keyboards, or whatever instrument there is. I can play the guitar, the bass guitar and the drums on a basic level but those who know me, know I am more of a singer. A casual singer who doesn't yearn for fame or artistic perfection or whatnot. A social singer, if you would.
Just sing for fun. entertain my friends, both old and new, and basically just belt it out (be it jamming with my band or at the karaoke) because I simply enjoy it, and I am decent at it.
So, it is not a priority for me, to pursue music knowledge formally, it is more of a de-stressing part of everyday life, one of those things that you do and enjoy because you can do with a certain degree of success, but not enough for you to, let's say, earn a recording contract and become famous.
So, back to why people may be addicted to Soft, or other websites for that matter, I attribute it simply to the need and longing for company and a sense of belonging, to feel that your presence in this world. It doesn't matter if it's just on an online basis (though I know lots of Softies keep in touch in the physical world, with other Softies).
It is easier, in fact. You don't need to dress up and drive or take the MRT or bus, you can just switch on your computers and start talking and relate to and associate with another person who may or may not be sharing the same interest(s) as you. Hell, you can even do it while being naked! :mrgreen:
So, I guess it's the freedom - to get in touch with another person without the social boundaries of colour, age and culture (sometimes) because most often that not, you don't know if the other person you are arguing with, or agreeing with, in a thread, is of the same age, sex, skin colour or what not, unless you specifically try to trace.
Well, like for most of the things that you encounter in your journey in life - just enjoy it, have fun but learn to balance it all up lah. As long as this doesn't interfere with your life and your goals, and what your parents want you to be doing - then just do it. You can learn, get to know more friends, experience the world and the different types of people, and you come out a learned individual.
:-D