What I think is declining the quality of this forum are the people that get PO'd when a 'new' guy posts something that was posted 4 months ago. He'll post something concerning FI and 8 people will flame him. If it enfuriates you, just dont post. Now, people are scared of getting yelled at, that now, there's an abundance of rediculous posts.
Despite I do agree with you, I swear there is something pyschological about this. If in the real, someone says something that annoys you, you will either be outraged/polite in response to what has bothered you, or anything in between. Point is, it's something you feel you have to debate because it offends you in some way. I think this sincerely applies to forum's, and for me... depending on how angry I get, I very rarely post a pure flame reply, and I try to be reasonably logical throughout (so I don't look like an idiot).
So... ultimately, this "If you don't like what you read, ignore it" sentiment is to put it bluntly: BS, lol.
Still - I sincerely do agree, it should be left alone *logically*, but when human emotion swings in to sway this logic... nothing can be done sometimes... besides atleast apply self restraint by not making a Flame, but Constructive Critisism or whatever ya wanna call it! Btw, I think the Tim Hoffman thread is a good example, lol.
Anyways... compared to when I first showed up here, the quality of information being thrown around was significantly more... oh... thinking of some names... well, Xvimbi comes to mind, he oh so often posted some great material! Indeed, NOW it seems like Reruns, and more Comedic/Entertainment focused then previously when I first showed up... but... well, that's my opinion.
It's alright... just, the atmosphere of the forum has changed, almost like it's not so... sorry... but Mature :/ This is not intended for anyone specific, I guess it is just the young generations personalities coming to this forum.
And to be honest, I don't mind either atmosphere, the old one had a sense of... Dining with Queen Elizabeth II, where everything was formal, yet also you could be amusing. Now it's like hanging out at a Piano Club based in a Pub or something, hehe, I can live with either

EDIT: Lol, can't say I been here that long anyway, now that I think about it, I only started piano early last year O_o