Now I have only been here for 15 years (on FT that is) which is longer than all the mods I believe, save maybe a few, and I can assure you the "Query-Snarky reply made in jest-frustration-conversation deterioration" pattern has been repeated since day 1.
'Tis the nature of the beast. Deal with it or fold and leave the table. Plain and simple. I read more than I post as I no longer like answering the same questions ad infinitum. I find the most enjoyment in the people I have met and the periodic mental gymnastics in which we can engage here.
Now 5khours and I may have appeared to be verbally sparring, and that may be an apt description, but at the end of the day he took the high road and earned everyone's respect I think. Certainly mine. And I know for a fact we are miles apart on opinion. The beauty of it is the forum, hearkening back to ancient times where people spoke, people opined, and if it interested you, you would listen and maybe join from time to time is that we can do exactly that without risk but very likely reward.
The fact is to ask a group of unknown people on a faceless internet forum a serious question expecting only seriousness and absolute knowledge in response is a bit of a leap of faith.
I would suggest a perusal of the threads here point you, at least with specific respect to food, to other food sites to find the answers to the more specific questions you pose.
I would suggest - in all respect - that one reason FT has survived as long as it has is that most people here do not share your POV in terms of answering the same questions again and again (and perhaps even again). Or covering the same ground as it changes in very small ways (e.g., changes in FF programs).
I can't recall when I first started on serious food chat boards. It is at least 10 years - but I can't remember the exact starting point. At first there was one (maybe 2). And then X fought with Y - and the boards split. And then X fought with A and Y fought with B - and the boards split again. Etc. So - as of today - you basically have only a ghost of what existed when it came to talking about food 10+ years ago. And I am pretty much not an active participant in the places that still exist.
Anyway - if you're telling me there are better places to learn about food on the internet than FT - I agree with you. Especially after this thread. But chat boards aren't a good resource today IMO (those that are still kind of active are pretty lame IMO). And - when I ask for someone's opinion about a restaurant on the internet - it's not like I'm asking them how best to deal with a serious medical problem I have (which I'd never do). It's only a restaurant decision after all - not a matter of life or death or anything close to it. Pretty much like choosing a hotel (and FT is excellent when it comes to hotel stuff IMO)
Perhaps most of you are business travelers. Traveling the same paths on the same budgets in the same places over and over again. I can relate to that - I used to travel on business too. But some of us are leisure travelers - and have a lot more latitude when it comes to choices. We don't have to be content with doing the same thing over and over and over again - and taking out our frustrations at doing so by engaging in intellectual sparring with strangers. We're interested in exploring new things.
Like I've said - I have always been willing to help people here who want to explore best I can. I was once young - and knew nothing. And had people who helped me to learn about traveling and dining. I've learned some over the years (certainly not everything) - and feel I owe it to my mentors to pass on what I've learned from them - and what I've learned on my own and from others. It is too bad that you don't share my point of view. "See one - do one - teach one." Robyn