I’m so glad I took the time to build a good solid foundation years ago because even though the roof might be leaking these days and there is a draft inside, the foundation can withstand until I get to fixing those.
I wonder if there are any new people that can build a space and feel at home here, somehow I think it might be way harder now.
There's always someone out there to judge favourably or unfavourably but if the user feels their platform is strong then that's what matters; I'd say yours is Eve.
I think it's much more difficult to build a brand here for many reasons. The influx of people has brought so many scammers that it's very difficult to trust people and support them, for me at least. You may recall an account called thenortherner who everyone flocked to, myself included...then...He was discovered to have been stealing images...and his account was smashed to smithereens. It's so difficult to know.
It's for this reason people stay in their lanes and approach newbies with caution, and that makes it difficult for them to build their accounts. I persist though, curate and encourage, and also downvote those I deem require it as is my right. Ultimately, users need to work hard to build, and aindont think it's ever been easy. It certainly wasn't for me.