Paul, the problem is, even while you allow for a degree of integrity among those of us who like those old instruments, you quickly change and castigate the general movement that favors such instruments. Again, could there be more to it than you presently appreciate, more than just "fan culture"? Could there possibly be many of us who would like to contribute to "synth culture" by making music on what are unfortunately called "retro" synthesizers? I honestly don't know, because - thanks be to God - I don't surround myself with synth forums and synth culture. I simply make music with the instruments I've got, and, aside from this forum, that's the end of it.
I should maybe point out that I use the term "retro" in a rather descriptive sense, not in a derogatory sense. So it's rather based on observation, not on the opinion that "retro" in itself is bad. And I don't only allow for a degree of integrity among those who like old instruments. Neither do I castigate the use of old instruments. Questioning the integrity of a musician only because he or she uses an old instrument would be quite absurd and arrogant. The only thing I criticized was what I referred to as a sheer consumerist interest in those instruments not based on what these instruments can actually do, but whoever used to play them on records that are perceived to be significant now for certain genres. So I was rather talking about praising retro stuff for the sake of retro in the attempt to be like XYZ because it's currently considered hip. I was not criticizing the appreciation of a couple of old synthesizers for reasons that make them a good instrument to some. The latter is not driven by a consumerist approach, but by the search for an instrument that should guarantee maximum expression based on individual needs and preferences.
And yes, I was more or less referring to what usually happens in certain synth forum discourses. The latter is related to the main topic here. Because let's not forget that Behringer catered to the sheer consumer instincts by creating accounts in almost all big internet forums in order to do some market research and create polls.
Even if GS is the largest online synth forum, don't judge the synth world through its blood-shot eyes. Perhaps we're approaching the topic of the problems with synth forums themselves. Like social media, they give a very misleading picture of reality.
I completely agree. And hopefully the rest will just make music.