I read half the first page of this thread, skimmed the second half, then skipped to the end, so forgive me if I'm just repeating stuff others said. But I did see the post in question where someone bemoaned WAYS posts counting towards post count or something. Didn't realize post count mattered so much beyond reaching the minimum for the buy/sell sections. I guess it does to some?
I generally lurk threads, I read some but don't post much in them because I usually have nothing to add, or it's some topic that I've seen a million times before just in the short time I have been here, or is stuff I view as overthinking and overcomplicating something that doesn't need a PhD to do. And that's not poopooing what other people like to do, that's just how I view some stuff.
Without the WAYS thread, it would have taken forever (probably never) to build any semblance of credibility (as a real person that actually smokes a pipe), which might put a damper on trying to buy a pipe or something from a forum member in the future.
That said I don't really follow WAYS. I go to the most recent page, skim most of it, toss a like on any post with a pic of a pipe without even reading most of them, post a pic of what I am smoking, which is always shot new, usually just after I loaded the pipe. It's always a quick shot, basic framing but nothing artsy or trying to make it look good, as long as it's decent, always unedited. Just shows I am an active person, even though I'm not really, but it's about the only way I can contribute without people thinking I'm a bigger asshole than they already do.
I don't follow the WAYS thread because it moves too fast. In the brief time it takes me to run through all the posts on whatever the current page is with some likes, and to attach my pic to my post, there's been like 3-5 new posts sometimes.
Hell, most of the threads I do read, I just skim, and I only usually get on here when I am smoking, or bored. But that's how I am with most everything I do or am into.
It's not a big deal and I don't see the problem with it. Not every post has to be super meaningful, deep, high value, conversation sparking, etc. I don't get what the problem is for those that have a problem with it, unless it's an ego problem because their post count should be the biggest or something?
Besides, how many times can you resurrect the same dead horse and beat it again and again? Some people it seems infinity. Me? I can't. If I already saw the movie, I can't stand to watch it again even if I liked it, because I already know what happens. That's how most threads seem to me in general, the same question or comment 500 times a day. There's nothing new under the sun.