"What do readers think...?"

"Readers" don't exist. People don't write for other people.

or

You folks who get involved in these arguments constantly, answer this (silently, please - it's not rhetorical, but I'd really like people to THINK about it) -

1. Why do you write?
2. Who are you writing for?
3. What outcome would make you think you could stop?

My opinion would be

1. I write because I like the sound of my own "voice".
2. I write for me, because I know people (other than opponents) don't read this stuff.
3. Stop!!!??? As if...

In short, I think the fights are carried out by people who have a psychopathic belief that they are the only people who matter. A universe of one.

And yes, I'm one of those sad people who remember being able to talk to people who seemed like friends, and during the discussion, at least, we seemed to like each other. We wanted to find how we could fit our violin brains in with their guitar brains and make good music. I miss it, but I think Mudcat BS is over the edge and plummeting into just-another-online-hatefest.