1st Impression, Join the Forum?

Audiogon has become infected with chatbot/AI-driven content that demands we post photos of ourselves, the results of "scientific" double-blind listening tests, proof of measurements, and other nonsense that belittles those who don't play along. It is increasingly becoming a waste of time.

While the chatbot/ai content is not terrific, there are many, many worthwhile, knowledgeable discussions here.  I value this opportunity to interact and discuss topics of interest, even with people holding opinions that differ from my own.  For example, science, measurements, double blind tests and the like are not nonsense to me, they are valuable data.  I believe that subjective evaluations, backed up by science are the most credible kinds of information upon which to rely in making informed decisions.  Of course they are not always available, hence the need to have discourse with people whose judgement I have grown to trust.  What better way to develop those kinds of relationships than through forums such as this one?  There is no substitute for the rigorous discussions that we often have in this forum.  Everything is questioned, nothing is sacred, long held positions are challenged, re-examination is necessitated.  Sometimes this makes me uncomfortable.  Often I learn.  When I look at where I was when I first came to this place, and I look at where I am now, I am humbled.  Is the forum perfect?  Of course not.  It is only as good as we are.  But through the participation of all of us, it is a good place.  I want to thank each and every one of you for all that you have contributed to make it so.

I've only joined a few audio discussion sites, but this remains one of my favorites, despite recent problems posting a photo along with comments.

Regarding nasty people, unfortunately that has generally become more common in my experience.  Fortunately most here are friendly, knowledgable, and willing to be helpful when they can.

When I was quite active in a Camera Forum, I was unique as a poster when I was using legacy manual-focus lenses on a DSLR Body; typically, I was exchanging info with users of auto lenses and the latest-to-last-generation bodies.

When I moved to a MILC System, I was integrated into the mainstream posting, where the content made available was highly beneficial to my interests.

 Running Parallel with this was the content of other Platforms where others with very good knowledge were offering educational information. 

The Camera Forum content is substantially different to an Audio Content Forum, as Cameras are not really used in such a range of permutations and ancillaries being used are not really impacting the end results if techniques used are good. 

With currently available adaptors, there is the option on certain bodies to add other brand lens models to another camera body brand, which will increase the permutations available but not really transform Photography in general, but will increase the chance to fill a lens gap in a Focal Length or Speed, if not offered from a preferred brand.

Individuals encountered are blatantly sponsored or blatantly not sponsored. How an individual receives remuneration for their time presenting is usually declared, and the party receiving information has their options to offer support clearly advertised. 

An Audio System is typically an assembly of many brands from the base up, including Rack Support, Platforms, footers, Speaker Platforms/Stands, Footers for devices and footers for speakers, devices, Power Cables, and Interconnects.

Each of the above, if to get any time of airing in a Thread with an interested following, will be a new purchase price between $100 and $20K depending on the item being referred to. There are also items under $100 and over $20K, but this window selected is the mainstream and pretty much a common budget allowance. 

There is money to be made; a Forum like the Gon is the Dawson City at the Klondike 100-ish years ago. There are lurkers, solely with an intent to create trade in Threads, but are not open with their agenda. There is blatant thread steering to the notion that a particular product has to be shortlisted or must be the top consideration period. 

For that reason, I am on the Gon when steering is glaringly present; something different is going to be tabled. Members panning for a few gold flakes should be able to learn the best places to pan for their riches. Some will happily send one to Pan for their poor value Pyrite.    

I was a long-time lurker on this forum and only recently decided to wade into the discussions.  So far, I’ve found the posters to be civil, knowledgable and very willing to share their expertise.  My one issue is the forum software - there may be some configuration options I’m overlooking that could improve the user experience, but I find the non-threaded nature of discussion topics and the inability to return to a topic where you left off makes the forum difficult to use.