When I joined Whyville years ago, it was a great place. When I didn't feel like talking to my real-life friends about something, I could turn to one of the new friends I had made on the net. And how easy it all was! I could reinvent myself. Nobody had to know things I didn't want them to know, and friendships, relationships, were based on more than looks. It was a good escape. But how do you get yourself to stop? When you decide to stay home and talk to your "internet friends" instead of hanging out with your REAL friends -- it's time to take a look at things.

The changes in Whyville since early 2000 are incredible. I remember the introduction of Why-Passes... even then, we thought the Whyville we knew was changing, though all we were getting was a glimpse of what was to come. To skip all the smaller changes, we now come to the aging and deleting of face parts. This has caused a huge scandal. Petitions were posted which recieved hundreds of votes, the BBS buzzed, and even off Whyville chat it was the topic of the week. Suggestions were submitted... many of which seemed to be much better than what the workers had proposed! But when we logged into Whyville a week or two later, what did we see? A giant neon sign screaming on the login page... SUMMER WHYPASS SALE! FOUR DOLLARS A MONTH FOR 2 MONTHS... and, by the way, if you buy a whypass, your face parts won't be deleted! I ask myself, does this not seem a bit suspicious? Could it be just a coincidence, a good idea?

The Whyville workers have constantly over the years stressed how they need money and how they could have to shut down if they don't have enough. With all due respect to those who work on Whyville... could all the time and hard work they put in to make money 'for the site' really not have been enough? Did they have to resort to maybe, just maybe (and I hate to say it) scamming us? The next thing we know... tons of face-part hoarders will be convincing their parents to buy this, just this, mom, it's only 8 dollars dad, and it's for learning!

It doesn't look good to me.

So, as the school year starts on Monday and my time will be limited, I have decided: no more Whyville. For good. It's not the safe, fun place it used to be, and I am tired of wasting my time. Thanks to those who have made these few years a bit better to me.

-Jules