To play with the party analogy further, the question is whether logging onto CF is to attend a rave or to attend a soiree; people who want the former desire a large attendance and to hang out with their boys so they can play hard and have backup if things get out of hand, and the latter are looking to hook up with whoever is there for a good time.

The problem with wild parties is that they may be fun to attend, but hosting them means you can expect your house to be trashed. Oddly enough, the people who do that party scene usually go from one party to the next, but rarely host the party themselves.

Valg's post shows an analysis of contrary perspectives, which is something often lacking on these runaway threads. It has an objective tone without coming across as cold, aloof, dismissive or patronizing. It alludes to the existence of obtainable data supporting its points and acknowledges where there is fact and conjecture. I also feel the analogy he made fits CF fairly well.

Good job, sir.