I'm sure a lot of people besides me must be scratching their heads and saying "what consensus?"

How long ago is this supposed to have happened? I've been around here for nearly two years, and many regular posters here have been around somewhat less than me. Whatever flame wars arose from these threads certainly must have been before my time, and that of a great number of others reading this.

Personally, the support that Mudcatters give each other is one of the things I really like about Mudcat, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this opinion.

As for the idea that only popular and well known posters get attention and support, I have not found that to be true at all. I started a thread last year about a problem I was having with flatmates and my need to move, and I got wonderful responses from many people. When I had to disconnect my computer for a while, I printed out the thread so I could look at it, and the support I felt meant a lot to me.

I have seen many other similar threads which must have been very welcome for the people who started them, and I don't recall any flame wars in them - maybe some other types of threads, but not these.

By the way, I have not noticed any more than the usual number of these kind of threads - certainly not a proliferation. I think we should let well enough alone and let people post what they like, as long as it is not actually offensive. You can't force this sort of thing. It will become what it is.