I'd just like to add regarding the initial post:
I've been a member here since, well before there was a General Discussions forum. And I've noticed that the "seriousness" of the GD forum is like a rolling wave. Sometimes it's a really big deal. At other times it's barely worth dodging the spalsh.
I think we're riding one of those "really big waves" right now. Sure there are a lot of serious discussions. A month ago, not so many. A few months before that, quite a few. It just varies. This too shall come to pass.
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Most Subtle Official Straightman of the Laughing Hyenas -- Grammarian Brigade.