"Do you think the forums ever had a Golden Age?"
This is a question I've pitched to several Aetherlighters on Chess.
The forums used to be something else long ago, they were something better not very long ago, and now . . . what are they now?
Something about them is different, something about them has changed. Something . . . but what? We could always point our fingers at the obvious: Spam, double deception, all the most obvious issues. However, there's something more. . . is it the effects of these said issues? Possibly.
It's been mentioned before on the forums,
"Well, the Aetherlight sort of is falling to pieces." - @Snoelle_Fitzshine
Here are the thoughts of several forumers on the subject from Chess:
"it's become a requirement to be recognized instead of something to do simply because you're good at it.
Be honest with yourself. We don't have Picassos or Tolstoys anymore. This is Spinetinglers hour with anonymous authors trying to make a dollar.
It sounds cruel. And it is. But I think the crueler concept here is the fact that if you don't make a role-play, participate in one, make some art, etc. you essentially have no place on the forums."
- @Xonos_Darkgrate1
"It feels a bit... worn-out? Or too rapid fire? I’m not sure. Maybe I’m just getting old and it was always this way XD" - @Iliara_Mustardtop
"The fear of NARP, angering the wrong person, creating an off-topic, or accidentally spamming has drowned the spark of creativity." - @Vytanni_Throttlenight
"Less connected I think. It used to seem like a family, now it’s become like an online average high school." - @Draven_Eldercraft
How did all these feelings come about? How have the forums lost their touch? What caused it? Most importantly, how can we fix it?
Every one of you make up the forums. We're all connected here, or are we? The connection has been lost. How have we lost it? Here's one idea . . .
Double deception.
Now before you roll your eyes and skim the rest of this, think about it. When we're connected, we know each other well, we feel safe around one another, we're a virtual family. However, when you visit the forums pretending to be someone else, the connection is lost . . . identities are unknown. Secrets sever the connection.
@Ariella_Newheart has more to say on that matter.
However, double deception can't be the only reason. It hasn't been a major problem lately. What else is wrong with the forums? What makes others wish to leave?
Well, here's another obvious problem with less obvious consequences: Spam.
I don't need to tell you what spam is, you probably been told twice already. However, spam distorts topics and causes endless amounts of pointless slog, which is one reason Toren Jumpspark is no longer on this forum:
So how do we solve this problem, spam less? Here's a good acronym I was taught a long time ago. It might prove helpful when it comes to spam.
However, are spam and double deception our only issues? Or are their more under the surface, less noticeable ones perhaps?
Please voice your opinion,
K 
