Originally Posted by
gerundium
this is true but you are missing one important aspect. you start identifying with a certain sub-forum. Every large forum i've frequented has it's own set of 'regulars' on different sub-forums. What happens is that there will be duplicate discussions on different sub-forums because people want to converse about a topic with the people they have come to know, who they identify with. They want to discuss something amongst themselves, and not discuss it with people in another sub-forum.
EDIT: just like every sub-forum develops their own style. There is a distinct vibe between different sub-forums generally.
Sure, I've been around enough forums to see this happen frequently. But you can't expect the mods to simply allow everything to be discussed in every forum, or the distinction between forums would dissolve and they would become useless as sources of advice or information.
Also, those who talk to the same people all the time very quickly stop learning anything new while paradoxically becoming convinced that they know everything. They need to get out more.