Then and now- how has SL environment changed?

As a perpetual wander, I found this thread, which features pics of each (existing) sim from a year ago, to be fascinating. Jogged many "yeah, I remember that thing!" memories.

I found it interesting to compare the current landscape to the one from last year. In general, the "old" landscape seemed more eclectec and scrambled, while the "new" landscape seems more integrated (exceptions exist, of course). Part of this may be due to the fact that people or groups own larger chunks of land, which (usually) is landsaped and built with a unifying theme.

Also, I found some of the "old" landscape to be more whimsical- (tacky and gaudy, but whimsical). Lots of shamelessly silly so-garish-it's-brilliant builds. Of course, we still have this today, but there seems to be a trend towards builds that compliment the environment.

At least that's my impression. What do you guys (and gals) think?

To me it seems a large prim-tide washed over the new sims, randomized their settings, and are called builds. But I'm picky that way. To some, overlapping two prims creating what I call 'z-flutter' or what others refer to as 'texture flap' seems to be the norm, while it drives me nuts. I could go into the whole 'default-texture-sucks' rant, but I think you know what I mean.

Some builds are good, actually look like the creators spent time making them. Others look like prims tossed into the blender and rezzed using 'frappe'. I guess at one point I'd say, "Yes, beauty in the eye of the beholder", but honestly, most of them suck outright, so why pretend.

I'd hold classes, if I felt it was worth it anymore - however most of the mafiosos and blingtards have pretty much convinced me not to. Ivory tower of prims is one of the only bastions of building resources, god help LL if Lumiere decides to leave - cause there isn't much that can help then.

I'm always bullish on the idea of SL, but currently the people inside of it I'm not too excited about.

hmmm...well, there are 2 variables that have changed since then, Greater Population and more Land. That might have something to do with it. I don't know, I haven't been around long enough to really tell. Interesting link to the picture thread

Maybe the older population didn't have as much of a preconcieved idea of what was "normal" to build in SL? Whereas the new people are more surrounded by pre-existing builds and "prefabs". Perhaps the idea of "modeling behavior/learning" applies here, where people's actions are modeled after rolemodels. Plus, there may be more pressure to conform to neighborhood themes than in the past. That's just my wild guess if I had to come up with one.

BLINGTARD! I love that word!

Used to be that 9 times out of 10 when I encountered another av, even if I didn't know them I would at least recognize their name. Ain't like that no more.

I agree with Alex's theory. As the population grows, trends change as well. I remember there being a few "prefab"ish homes back when I first came, but alot of the houses were unique because each person built them individualy since there werent any major sellings of prefabs.

It also seems like there was alot more expirementation with sillier builds. This could be because of the small population being creative, or, because land was much easier to come by then so people felt more free to build things like that. I still do see some creative and silly builds around in the new sims, and its always interisting and fun to see.

So while theres creativity still abound, it is harder to find I'd say in such a huge world that we have now.

Yes!
I kinda miss 'em.