I made my account in 2005. The simple truth is that this place has been getting worse for at least the past five years. More bickering and cock fighting and less community, cooperation, and enjoyment.
Unfortunately the constant efforts by various posters to prove their individual superiority has driven away so many. Sadly, it's the best people who leave. I don't really feel there's any sense of community left. I still read because there's really not a better place to learn about gear and poll user experiences, but it becomes less enjoyable every year.
I've taken to calling out people when they destroy useful conversations by pulling out the measuring tape. I doubt this will make any difference, but knowing what Audiogon's trajectory is made me decide it was worth the effort.
Education without condescension. I just wish we could all cooperate in a community effort to make the most people have the best music reproduction possible.
Music is one of humanity's greatest treasures and anything we can do to get more people to enjoy it (or enjoy it more) is really a noble act. I guess it's just too much fun to troll, mock, and fight to actually help one another move towards that goal.
