It took a long, long time but I finally did it. Being busy the past few days led to a digital logjam in my "articles unread" list. I started this morning with 700 posts to wade through. Now that I'm completed, I don't know if I should light a cigarette or tunnel a 45 slug deep into my cerebral cortex. Anyone who has frequented this group for an extended period of time has to notice a very distinct difference in the tone of the messages since the T&P episode. The sheer volume of posts is evident, but the average size seemed to have expanded also. As I see it, there are good and bad things that have arisen from the changes:
BAD My ass is parked in front of this flickering screen for an even larger percentage of my shortening life span. A greater number of posters results in an equally greater number of opinions that refuse to accept any views different from their own. Too many differing ideas may cause more old timers to snap and bail. Weeding through extensive quantities of bloated posts and responses made me long for the days of the simple pleasure of the "SOUTH PARK KICKS ASS!" posts.
GOOD There was so much other discussion occurring that no one wanted to take the time or effort to respond to Mutantman/Dieyuppie trolls. The pseudo fans may actually be true to their word and bless us with a permanent self-imposed exile from the newsgroup.
One last thought before closing: How many references did you see in the past few days of the "declining quality" of SP episodes since Christmas? How many people are left in here that watch SP for the entertainment aspect only? I want the show to make me laugh, not offer salvation to my soul.