I agree slides, jokes, and a bit of personal information make all of you seem real and make me feel I know you. Eventually Freeqs may be the bulk of my family. The arguments suck though remind me of certain siblings:-)
... and make me feel I know you.
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You nailed it. I lurked on FR for 20 years before I became a member and made my first post. It was simply where I went to read the news. I lurked on the Q threads for 2.5 of those 20 years and it was here that I made that first post. I felt like I already knew many of the posters through both the slides and strictly business posts and analyses. I was able to put a lot of trust in the opinions of all of you through that knowledge, however seemingly superficial. Without the trust, being here might be like reading Q drops - brief, pointed and interesting, but somewhat dry, sterile, and humourless - and wondering “Who are these people and why should I believe them?” The slides aren’t necessary, but they help to build a foundation of trust through their humanity and their humour.