I almost wasn't going to make a goodbye post. I was just going to check out, find some other site, and chill there. I have no connection to GAF as a site, I have a connection to GAF as a community, and I'll go where they go. And they've decided to go. Where that is, is still not quite known, but there are ideas out there. I might end up there. Or somewhere else. Anywhere but here. But I wanted to at least have some closure and speak my mind.
And since the site has re-opened, I've witnessed some of the most disgusting, un-gaf like posts I've ever seen. And no, I'm not talking about the account suiciders, they're whatever. I'm talking about the gross posts in threads like the mental health thread. A thread made to make sure people were okay and safe, and was met with replies like might make r/thedonald blush. And then you have the net neutrality thread, which is a political thread. But it's also a gaming thread. What are we to do!? And so what was a normal, good discussion on GAF has now been turned into bickering about if it follows the rules or not and whiny about safe spaces and SJW or whatever garbage buzzwords have invaded this site from the darkest parts of the net.
There's no way to separate politics from every discussion. I'm sorry, but there's just no way to do it. Not unless you want bland, PR filled astroturf advertisement threads as every major OP.
And good luck getting indie devs, corporate community outreach, journalists and major industry people to post on this place as much as they did, after what happened. Something that made GAF special.
And now some goodbyes
To Smash speculation GAF - You were the first community on GAF I ever really got attached to. It's actually pretty cruel that the ability to use GCN controllers on the switch was only found today. It might have re-lit the old fire. But anyway, thanks for the laughs, and memories. And if K Rool is added to Smash, I expect Gonzo to be unbanned, as per the original agreement.
To Binding of Isaac GAF - You guys might not have been the most active, but I enjoyed talking about the game. It's kind of a shame Nicalis showed their true colors over the weekend and were celebrating the death of GAF. It won't stop me from playing the game, it's just super disappointing.
Poke-GAF - Tons of fun in WatchDaBirdie's threads. I hope he shows up somewhere and we can go right back to arguing over what moves make sense on what Pokemon, what type matchups are nonsense, and other fun stuff.
And Poligaf. Oh Poligaf. Where to start with you guys. You were the most active thread I've ever been on GAF. I love talking with you guys, arguing with you guys, and just chatting. Even if it seemed like I was teasing some people a lot, I still thought you guys added to the thread. I realize literally nobody from that thread will read this post, ad they all got banned a day ago, but still. I wouldn't have expected them to tolerate this entire thing, as I certainly am not. I'll catch you guys somewhere else, I doubt the group is separated forever. Maybe cars will be banned someday.
Other fun stuff
Funniest thread on gaf - The Fifa gay glitches thread. Hardest I've ever laughed at a thread.
Weirdest thread on gaf - The russians used Pokemon to sway the election.
Saddest thread on gaf - Scorcho's thread blogging about his final few months of life
Biggest secret - I used to be a habitual lurker of the funny pictures thread, but never, ever posted in it
Oh well. Been a rough few days. Losing a community I've been a part of for years is tough, but I no longer feel it appropriate being here.