Indeed the deterioration of this this list recently has been sad. What just a year or two ago was an active forum with good substantiative topics has reverted to mostly global news, and chit chat. Not trying to be too negative but there is so much potential (check the archives), that I feel we're missing out on.
We hashed this out a few weeks back. Since then I've been contemplating a idea raised then. When I see Merla post about the troubles world affairs might be causing her it solidifies my thoughts. Some of us like, need, or choose to live in our own little BD world. There is a lot if injustice in this world, and being able to deal with all the negatives isn't for everyone. There are places (many) that on can go for news, alternative, mainstream, political opinions. There aren't many places one can go to find those experienced in BD, especially in a forum where the back and forth of discussion often reveals so much.