Argh - this thread isn't letting me sleep! LOL.

hmmm, I'm not sue that I agree that BB has changed a great deal. I think that people change and they assume that the change is with BB when it's actually with them.
Just thinking about this. I think BB has changed. Not all of the changes are permanent tho, and as someone said recently, the angst seems to be seasonal LOL (maybe the mods could pull some stats on how many padlocks are used and the phase of the moon? LOL)

But we've seen in the past some almighty blowouts with permanent ripple effects. As numbers have grown, like Trillian said, this brings in more people from more walks of life, which will also bring more conflict. Some of this conflict results in new moderation rules (this in itself can get people's backs up even tho the intentions are always good and in keeping with BB's philosphy)

Often you can feel how subdued and how careful everyone is with their words after some big debates/conflicts and this can go on for a while.. hence the extra PC stuff that goes on these days.

Sometimes we see much loved and respected members leave. I obviously don't know the exact circumstances of some of these but something must have changed for such regular, involved members to consider leaving. Yes it probably does lie with them as well or else a lot MORE regulars would have left as well hehe. But I think it's only natural that this community would change and evolve with it's own growth and the coming and going of members.

There seems to be a stable core element of the BB community that I don't think are going anywhere though, and they are what keep the 'unchanging' side of BB going throughout all the other changes, so the essence of BB always still shines through these foggy patches. So in that sense BB hasn't changed. I just really don't remember all this sensitivity and political correctness back in the days when I joined.

Not really sure there's a point to my post, or even if it makes sense. I kinda just had to get it out of my head so I can sleep LOL. Switching my brain off now. Night!