Guest, regarding Shambles not answering direct questions, I think it's part of the syndrome. I don't think he evades. I don't think he's capable of answering them, and no, I'm not trying to insult him or even argue. I think his inability to answer these questions, the memorization and repitition of phrases, the obsession with Joe and editing/moderation/whatever, and the inability to understand subtle clues about how serious Joe isn't when he says he doesn't like birthday threads or counting posts, are part of a syndrome. He doesn't understand what Max meant with his invitation to leave because Max is going to have to do something a lot less subtle for him to get it.   

I don't think he can stop, but I don't think some other people can either. And I may be wrong about the syndrome thing, but it doesn't matter. It's one thing to argue with someone who's capable of understanding you, but it's quite a different thing to continue to try to expect understanding and agreement from a person who only posts because it's part of his routine, and who can neither see nor care about the effects of his obsession.

It makes it easy for me not not get involved in discussions about editing. I see no logical evidence he's really trying to change anything, or even discuss the issue. Posting is just something he has to do. Depersonalizing Joe ("Chief of the...") and complaining about anyone with an edit button, whom he catches doing anything at all, is just his hobby.

The bottom line is that I don't think he can help it, and I can, and if he can't help it, it's harder to be angry at what he says.    It's easier to develop negative opinions of those who keep pushing his buttons, but I guess everybody needs something to inspire them.