Nothing to do about the brand wars?

[Eureka]

Maybe I never noticed it before, but CPU and VC&G have turned into all out branding war. Any topic involving a driver turns into a rat race to the bottom. I understand that there's a desire to keep the discussions open but there's not much of a discussion anymore. Is there nothing to be done about this? I'm finding myself put off by a lot of the nonsense around here.

[lopri]

It has become a completely different place. Back in the days, fanboys were just that - fanboys. They liked their hardware and wanted to defend their purchases and brand loyalty.

Over time, things have changed. Corporations realized that viral marketing online can make or break a product, and they have been engaging in furtive operations (or so I hear, don't quote me on that)

Today, the big corporations no longer needs such a shills operation, IMHO. Some of the sub forums have been completely overtaken by those who have actuarial financial stakes in the corporations' success. They will not disclose, but it's painfully obvious to my jaded eyes.* There is very little discussion about tech, and every other discussion is about a company's financial or eventuality of such. I stopped going those places completely.

*Disclamer: I have never worked, owned stocks, nor have had family members who work for any of the oft-discussed tech companies.

[lopri]

As to what can be done about it - yes something can be done to slow the race to the bottom. Take a look at recent announce by AT Forums.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2300612

More specific rules regarding how moderation is going to be conducted:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost...83&postcount=3

Rules such as above can be reasonably tweaked and expanded to other sub-forums.