I think one of the big things about this whole issue (unless I'm mistaken) is some mods thinking that all the randomized chatter will scare away potential members. The fear is that guitarists will stumble onto GT, read some thread about scones (just as an example, I'm not blaming CW14) and think this is some sort of madhouse where no actual intellectual conversation goes on. Fair enough. That's a very legitimate concern for the mods.

I just think it's being overlooked how all the random nonsense can be a good thing. When Tonja Renee first joined the forum, she started a thread about the cold temperature where she lives. I spoke off-topic, leading the conversation down a different path. Not long after, she added me to her contacts on MSN messenger. Now we talk to each other nearly every night. Akira and jeffhx are also on my contact list as of now.

I honestly can't think of a single person on this forum I don't like. If all the talk was all guitars and music all the time, I'd never really know. I love guitar, I love music, but there's only so much that can be said. And besides, I don't have a whole lot in common with anyone I've come across, strictly speaking in musical terms.

Now when some member has a question, and random posts ensue, I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing. If the question goes unanswered and the member is still left in the dark, then yeah, it is bad, and those who ignored his question should, by all means, be spoken to by the mods. But if the question is answered and the topic gets changed after that, what's the harm?