I have spoken to (when I bump into them) more than one person who was a regular years ago, but no longer frequents Mudcat. They said the atmosphere got so nasty they didn't care to spend their time here.

I believe they are on FaceBook now. You can blame those who left... but (presumably) folks generally hang out here because they think it's fun (and some, no doubt, because they care about the folks they've met/know here). But when it's not fun no more, there are SO many diversions and distractions begging for our time and attention, why stick around?

They didn't like the "heat", so they got out of the kitchen... didn't make a fuss about it - just left. That's what most people do.

FWIW, that's my two-penneth on "Shrinking Mudcat"...