One of the topics discussed during the podcast was lurkers and loyalty. I started reading TechDirt back in 2006. I went by a certain handle for the first 3ish years. My posts back then were much more angry and attacking at people with different views. I was in my young 20s then. At some point I grew up some, realized how vitriolic I was being, and created a new handle to leave the anger behind. It worked pretty well, and my posts since then have been of a much higher quality. I used to comment a ton as well. Over the last few years though I have barely commented. I have worked places where I am far more busy, and my home life, having kids, is also far more busy. I still find time to read most of the posts and still find myself agreeing with TD on just about everything, much the same as when I stumbled upon it. I am thankful for this site existing, helped contribute to the legal defense fund, and am one of those who come to the site directly. I currently fit that bill of lurker though. I don’t comment much but am still around and likely always will be. I still link directly to your articles when I send them to friends from time to time when the topics or companies are things they have interest in.

With regards to Facebook though, bah humbug. I left it many years ago, and intend to stay away. Since I have been gone so long, I am not sure how much of an impact it plays on any of my friends or family. They know well enough by now not to bring up that company to me.