I didn't really want to redirect into my own decision, heh, but just know that I won't make it a public issue beyond what I've said here. At the very least, it makes me seem less fickle if I ever re-appear in the future.
They probably aren't the only cause, but I can't help but believe that the seasonal aspects play a large part in the issue. It's around this time of year that school kicks into full gear for most students. Further, being in a lull between Zelda games, it makes sense that fewer ravenous "noobs" are randomly joining the community.
But then, that's speculation on my part.
Perhaps the spam patrol is working? I'm not sure if that's a good thing, necessarily; It seems each instance of spam is now followed by six instances of spam-condemnation.