I've been reading ever more strident criticism of first time contributors, or long term members submitting reviews, with increasing concern.
If you're referring to this thread, I think you're going slightly over the top. I made a fairly light-hearted dig at one poster who contributed a non-review that would have been useful information if it had been posted months ago. He took it in good heart and I made an (admittedly quite lame) joke about foreign countries and the lack of internet connectivity.
If you're talking more generally, I'd also disagree. I see a lot of first-time contributors or long-time lurker making genuine and considered contribution, and being welcomed for them. The pricks who lurk for years and infrequently make banal comments or ask for help without giving any feedback on their subsequent experiences are, quite rightly in my opinion, called out for exactly what they are.
If you remember (although you may possibly not be aware) it's not that long since Admin specifically asked for help with calling out and getting rid of all the non-contributing leeches that add the sum total of fuck-all to the forum. That exercise unearthed literally hundreds of the buggers that do absolutely nothing to support their fellow members. Although that initiative has ended, Admin seems generally supportive of spongers being identified, although if he now feels differently I'm sure he'll find a way to let us know. Ultimately, it's not up to anyone but Admin to police the forum, so I'm sure if he sees behaviour that doesn't fit with his preferences, he'll take care of it.
If you've been around the internet for long enough, you'll probably be aware of the 1% rule (
External Link/Members Only) ). This firmly squashes the myth that there is a vast proportion of the lurking membership out there that as just sitting quietly waiting to pluck up the courage to post something useful. Put simply; contributors contribute; lurkers lurk and leeches leech. The idea that some polite encouragement will persuade them to change their ways is optimistic at best. To be honest, if you're too timid to post a review on an anonymous forum and deal with the feedback, I have no idea how you#ve got the guts to get your pants off in front of a prossie. If there really are large numbers of lurkers out there quaking in their boots but just desperate to post a review (unlikely as it is, see above), they really need to grow a pair.