As a new member here at CC I'd like to say that first impressions are good. The discussions are thoughtful and relevant, there are enough posters that are honestly engaged in the debate to keep it interesting, and the trollier-than-thou aspect is tolerable. I haven't belonged to a great many forums, one in particular has had most of my attention for some years now in that it caters to local residents for the most part so a lot of the discussion there has a small-town feel with a real mix of contributors. I don't see social networks being a threat to discussion forums, they are a different beast altogether. Social networks are a passing "Hello" on the street or brief water-cooler chat, discussion forums are more of a sit-for-a-bit in depth discussion. Both have a place, and it's likely that both will endure. I like that CC keeps a topical focus for the most part, the other forum I mentioned with its mixed membership has trouble maintaining thoughtful debate, it can sometimes be a challenge to ignore those whose intention is basically to disrupt and inflame. But I suppose that goes anywhere, it's not as easy to choose your friends online as it is out in the real world. For the moment I consider myself lucky to have found this place, the bulk of the conversation has a depth that makes it uninviting to the "dark side" .