I get your point, and I don’t entirely disagree. You’ve been upfront about having no vested interest in the forum’s success, and it’s clear that the current state reflects that. The members, in their collective disregard have shaped it into what it is now.
You’ve also been transparent about the financial side of things, and I understand prioritizing the more profitable ventures, especially when they subsidize the existence of this place. But even if you’ve moved on, this forum was once a space for valuable, free-spirited discussions. It’s hard to watch it deteriorate into nothing, even if the internet has drastically changed.
I agree with you that alternatives like Facebook, Instagram, and Reddit dominate now, but they don’t offer the same organic exchange that this forum once did. Yes, times have changed, but that doesn’t mean this space couldn’t have a second chance, even if only for a small group of those who remember its purpose.
At the end of the day, it’s your forum, and if you’ve decided it’s run its course, I get it. But it’s still a little sad to see it end like this, given what it once was.