Seeking or yearning for affirmation/confirmation from others - especially internet people - is woefully misguided and weqk minded. I think wanting affirmation is inherent in people, and it is the same for people here. I think acknowledging people will help Free Republic grow. We should want even the weak people who seek affirmation from people online.
Save for the ones I know personally, I couldn't give a single f what any FR thinks about anything.
What was it that Reagan said? A man that is 80% your ally is not your enemy?
We may not all agree, but being kind to everybody shouldn't steer us wrong, even if we aren't enthralled with what they think.
Increased camaraderie may pay rewards that we might not have anticipated.
I think wanting affirmation is inherent in people I'm sometimes a misanthrope for this. I get embarrasesed at needs of our ego. My theory is that it should be satisfied in different spheres, beginning with family members. But the further out from there . . bread on the water.
I think wanting affirmation is inherent in people, and it is the same for people here. I think acknowledging people will help Free Republic grow. We should want even the weak people who seek affirmation from people online. 
Seriously though, I asked eight people several pertinent questions the other day and only one of them answered. 25 years ago they wouldn't shut up and the threads would go on forever.
Part is, as you say, the demographic has changed as we age out to that great shuffleboard court in the sky. But I also note that too many feel beaten down and near hopeless after the Big Election Steal of 2020 so feel keeping their heads down is the safest way be.
It's not "Safe Republic" - there's plenty of sites for that. I'm betting you can find Liz Cheney and the Turtle on those. Our Founders fully expected literal execution for speaking out, yet went ahead with the odds ten-to-one against succeeding. But because they dared they inspired.
That inspiration was contagious enough to overcome tyranny and establish a better form of government. It's painfully obvious that that government is now in dire trouble and needs it's patriots now more than ever.
So you good people please keep up the good work and never shut up.