First of all, with this many members, I don't see cliques or popular kids or kool kidz. I see people who interact with each on a variety of levels. I respond to almost every 'vibe' thread posted (if I see it) even if I've never seen the person before.

People 'connect' here for a variety of reasons. Maybe it's a shared vision in GLBT (which is how I became so friendly with a lot of GLBT DUers) or maybe it's the foodie group, or maybe it's because they've met IRL. I know for me, I've been contacted by people I've not interacted with before simply because they discovered either through one of my own posts, or someone else's, that I was a child/adolescent psychologist. I would like to think I might have helped.

Point being. NO ONE on DU is 'more popular' than anyone else. Some posters are just more talkative. I freely admit to being one of those when I'm not stressed out about my job.

Some posters are in difficult stages of their lives. They're ill, or undergoing a relationship breakup, or having difficulty at school or dealing with sick parents. Hell, I'd venture to say that a great many of us are dealing with 'something' that allows us to connect with someone else on this board who might be going through the same thing.

The latest lounge flame war just goes to show you how many different perceptions there are on DU. There will always be people you will like better than others. That doesn't make the ones you don't like 'unpopular'.

All in all, the people on this site, especially the regulars here, are good folks. I've interacted with a lot of you via PM and I have enjoyed it. I've learned a lot and I hope I've brought something to the table.

We're all 'popular' in our own way. We all matter to someone on this site and to someone IRL. For me, knowing that even one person would miss me if I left is enough.

The end.