I understand your sentiment however it could be designed so that people can still read threads, just not post or respond in threads unless they are a paying member.
Yea, sure, right.
Then it would shrivel up and die.
Maybe you want that?
There's one 'little' humongous problem . . . . amongst others . . . with your suggestion.
Once upon a time, JimRob . . .
And . . . JimRob is quite understandably (last I heard), and quite fiercely (last I heard), and quite wisely (to my mind)
1,000% hostile to the whole idea of your suggestion and anything close to your suggestion.
And, I think he's right.
Lots of us think he's right.
Besides, it's his living room.