Thanks! You said it perfectly, there is a lack variety in SD and everything is a bit predictable.

Thats all I'm trying to do - provide some fresh perspective and encourage a little more open thought, instead of just having certain views dominate the board.

Personally, I think it scares people away who would otherwise contribute when they see people who disagree with popular opinion getting mauled, or seeing that they'd be "ganged up on".

Your posts in the serious discussion are quite interesting to read. My one issue with the serious discussion form is that there isn't a whole lot of variety with the views of many of the posters. I mean, it should have a wide amount of different ideas contributed or else everything becomes far too predictable, taking away a reason to even discuss.