This from the guy who mangages to put a criticism of Obama in just about every post, no matter what the original topic.
Perhaps I am biased, but I think it has jumped. The absurdity level of some posters and their posts appear to be on the rise. And unless there is a growing market for such absurdity, I think the bloom may be off ET's rose. However, I do think that the hardware and software forums are generally very good resources, and I have certainly benefited from them.
I'm reminded of a once-vibrant mall that slowly begins to lose an anchor tenant here and there, along with some other, smaller national or regional chain stores. The vacant stores then become occupied by dippy flea-market-type operations. The place still looks reasonably busy, but you know it's only a matter of time before the whole tent folds. It's not a great analogy, but I think you get my meaning.
