The wise researcher doesn't use chat forums on the internet, period.

Having spent plenty of time in both places, I would say there are more knowledgeable people in the Usenet forums. However, the most knowledgeable folkies just aren't posting on-line anymore, period.

There are off-putting aspects of every unmoderated folk music forum on-line. The cool people who used to hang around on Usenet, and who came to Mudcat when it used to offer a true alternative to those forums, have pretty much left. Only the chat forum junkies are left, and they seem to be addicted to the medium, more than the forums themsleves, ie if their fave forum folded tomorrow, you'd find another one to get the fix.

The real problem with all these forums is too many jerks. Too many rude jerks, too many know-it-all jerks, too many trollers and flamers, too many idiots passing themselves off as experts, too many of the worst examples of humanity to put up with in your psychic living room.

Mudcat just seems to be more delusional about it's "specialness" than most, is all.

Face it Mudcat--you are the drivel of humanity that drove the good people out. Of course you think you are wonderful.