I can't claim to be one of those addressed by the opening post (the folks in the know here on Mudcat) but I think that Kat would count as one such.

I agree with her that (translating rather freely) the malaise here may be reflecting a change in society as a whole. There are nuggets of the old spirit around, they just aren't as plentiful.

In Kat's later post there is a heck of a list of those that might be seen as gone missing. That is a loss to each of them, but a bigger loss still to the 'cat. Have they been driven away? Doubtless some will have found newer or more pressing activities, but I would guess that a fair few have just decided to fade away as agression has made the site less congenial.

Spaw and JOhn from hull9 were particular favourites of mine, but I miss others too....Aargh, the list is growing as I type...stop it will you, it is more than flesh and blood can take. I promise to be nicer, will that do? OK, I will smile too, but I can't give up the puns.