Several reasons why I took a break from posting here and elsewhere. Some personal, some based on the way the forum was moving. But I will agree that off topic certainly isn't what it was, the intelligent debate, the humour and the banter has died. But, it's always easy to say that the forum isn't what it was. When I first started posting I didnt feel that I was clever or funny enough to post but as time wore on I became more confident, or the forum dumbed down... I do feel for Ric, I don't suppose that he ever foresaw what the forum would become and I wouldn't wish modship on my worst enemy. Maybe the answer is that off topic is only visible to logged in members, much as the politics forum is. It's always up to the individual which threads you read which you avoid. It's a forum for adults and if you are easily offended, maybe the gratuitous lads thread isn't for you ;-)