I would imagine “state of the hobby” type thoughts are probably part of it.
Not any one thing. There is a lot to the nature of it that brings certain personalities together that might not play well together now or in the past. All the normal parts and ugliest parts of a free market are still in play too but laid across a more volatile human element than in regular society. No one really wants to deal with those unattractive parts when seeking something ultimately unnecessary to purchase or own. It is much easier for very many especially in the younger generations to just walk away. Holding up specific knowledge and imaginary high status does not do much for people now who really do not want to have to be beaten up online, lectured to, ripped off or worse just to be able to navigate their way in the free market based hobby landscape. It is just not worth the investment of time for them.
