I agree that many threads degenerate to a lowest common denominator.... boobs

I would add

I believe the silly proliferation of forums highlight the idea that classes are engaged in this epic battle to cannibalize another class's sailors.

The number of special interest forums has diminished the cat racing community by defining and splitting off groups and sending them off into small paranoid corners. What's the point of an A class forum? What is so unique about the issues, skills, techniques of sailing an A class to warrant their own forum. I would argue that any single handed racer would be able to contribute to many threads... However when you put it in the A class Forum, I bet some people decide to NOT contribute.

Worse still, the separate forums allow the fragile and tender ego's to take their toy's and go home.... or attempt to throw someone out of the "THEIR" sandbox. Contribute to the F16 threads and prepare to fend off the complaint... you don't own an F16.... shut up... leave us alone. The attitude just carries over to the other forums.

All in all the community is diminished... the conversation then degenerates into drill baby drill... or boobs or personal attacks. Why bother?