I have to say that, as a total newbe to this forum I am really disappointed at the volume of off-topic and personal slagging off that takes place. It's totally offputting and I'm sure is keeping a lot of novice keepers from even asking questions. A few regulars here may actually know each other and their 'banter' may be otherwise good natured, but it doesn't read like that to the uninitiated. It reads as unmasked agression.
Posting an alternative view or additional information on a topic is not 'trolling' or belittling. But responding to someone's view with a slag-off retort about that person's outlook, background, previously discussed beliefs or ethics is not debate. The whole tone of some of these discussions is unnecessarily confrontational.
In my limited experiences on other forums and in actual meetings at shows and with the home association I have found fellow beekeepers to be really generous with sharing experiences and accepting that there are many, many ways to skin a beehive. Most of us (I would say 'ALL') are still learning. Climatic conditions are in flux. There are new disease threats in the wind. The experts are trialling all sorts of approaches to management of everything. Our scientific knowledge has advanced at startling speed in recent decades and even the last few years - and even with those advances of understanding the scientists will rarely give an absolute opinion; they know too much of how much there is still to understand.
I signed up on someone's recommendation. Upon signing up I was immediately 'invited' to pay a subscription. I'm afraid that the general tone of this forum is leading me to the conclusion that I won't be renewing that subscription next year - and I'm sorry I took out the year's option rather than the monthly one.