I feel like i could write a page or two on lurkers, but I won't. I mean the people who read but never join Forums. Some may just be overly shy, vicarious, or voyeuristic, which is the joke. Some people just don't have the inclination to communicate in writing and photos. Others may want the info but not want to devote time to the conversation.
It has always seemed to me that people in the pipe and tobacco biz would do well to read a few threads now and then to hear how some of their customers talk about things, even if they don't want their business on Forums.
The people who appear here as lurkers are actually former lurkers, though some of them retreat to the shadows and don't post much or at all.