I myself have been saying since Post 1 is I don't ever plan to ride a hardtail again unless I get back in XC Racing, and I don't see myself ever doing that.

Even a short travel FS where the suspension rides stiffer, the riding experience is just so much funner, bike does not beat me up as much, and I am in more control. For me, FS all the time unless if I am riding on red carpet trails like those in the Bay Area, for that I will ride a rigid bike.