Cheers,
@peejay2,
It's a two-way street; in the decade since I first stumbled across HotCopper, I have benefitted tremendously from the expertise and unique insights of others, the sum total effect being an enhanced financial position.
This is how a collaborative forum like this should work, i.e., :
The Whole is greater than the sum of the Individual Parts.
Regrettably, my clear sense is that, as time passes, the quality of debate is deteriorating and has drifted away from the deep and rigorous exchange of fundamental analysis which was widespread in the period of 2014 to, say around 2020. In recent times, however, I find the scope for constructive debate has diminished and the tone of posts are more combative. Increasingly, posters use stock threads more to project their own ideological views or advance their special interests instead of discussing stocks. I think inconsistent and less stringent moderation standards over the years have compounded the problem.
I don't believe I'm alone having these misgivings. Unfortunately a number of contributors for whom I had great respect and who imparted much knowledge to the forum have ceased contributing on HotCopper over the past 12 to 18 months, evidently for the same reasons of being disillusioned with the deterioration in the quality of the debate.
Pity, because the forum could be a valuable asset to investors, when it isn't hijacked by individuals having particular person axes to grind.
But I guess that's the internet.
.
(20min delay)