I will say this, out of all the mailing lists I am on... This is the
only one that gets these huge conversations where the majority of the
content is pointless to actually improving the community... (and
generally to the conversation itself) -- On other lists... it's
usually a sign that you should pay attention to that topic... no so
much here (in most cases).

It is very off putting and if it weren't for that fact that there are
a few very useful gems that come across the mailing list, I would have
left along time ago, but what little I get to work with Node in my
free time is important to me, and so I always end up tolerating it.

I would say that qualifies as alienating people, and I know I am not
the only one... there are countless others that chime in all the time,
trying to right the path of the topics...

It is a losing battle... but if you care at all about staying apprised
of community ongoings... you suffer silently [for the most part]
through it.

-Karl Tiedt