Some people actively participate but rarely if ever start a thread.

I have access to many knowledgeable people, including repair technicians and builders of gear, so I don't have many specific questions about problems that I need to ask here.  As for equipment recommendations, I don't go along with something like "consensus" opinion, so I don't ask--I try to audition anything I am interested in and go entirely with my own assessment.

But, I do enjoy the discussions here, and I do learn a lot by reading what a lot of people say here about a wide range of subjects.  I also try to add my own knowledge and opinions on various subjects, but I hope no one "relies" on my opinions but i do hope they at least consider them.   

@inna 

Yeah, you never know, and generally speaking, discussions now are not what they used to be ten or even fewer years ago, let alone twenty years. You used to ask a question about some tube or cable and there would be many posts and opinions.

I guess some newcomers aren't aware of how to search past threads, so they end up asking questions that have already been posed many times over. Perhaps this has the effect of causing some long-time participants to lose interest? 

To state the obvious, it's only natural that all posts won't be relevant for everyone. For example, I don't have a dedicated room, so posts that flatly assert that attempting to improve sonics without treating the room are a waste of time and energy aren't very useful to me. And the fact that I haven't found this assertion to be true doesn't make such posts any more relevant.  

Over time, I've compiled a list of guys who I've found to be knowledgeable, patient and happy to offer suggestions. At this point, I'm more inclined to PM them, directly if I'm trying to solve a particular problem. 

Because a lot of people respond with great knowledge and they don't have any interest in seeking knowledge from others so they never create threads.

Yeah, when I recently asked to recommend $3500 used speakers, there were probably one hundred brands mentioned, I didn't count. But no "consensus opinion". Am I going to audition those one hundred brands before choosing ? Of course not, and it would be totally unrealistic. Sometimes, people just talk. I expected it in that thread and took it accordingly. It's like a small talk, which is fine.