As someone who very recently took an extended break from the site but has returned, I definitely have some thoughts. I think it's... strange?... that people are so focused on parity. I think as long as we keep things in check and just routine "maintenance" per se on ensuring that every team and player has a fair shot of higher TPE and reasonable builds, there's no use talking about it.

IMO this reminds me of discussions I had with my friend about the FIFA video games. The newer FIFAs just are not fun to play. At all. (talking about FUT, ignoring the fact they haven't changed career mode, pro clubs...) Sure, the graphics are better, there is more content, there is more variety, trading allows to get more coins... but the core gameplay itself is way, way, way less fun. If I were to think back to FIFA 14, 15 - I lost a lot. I wasn't that good. But man was the game fun. At some point people try to start thinking about how to make things "better" or "more efficient" while sacrificing FUN.

I agree with PB that we need to get more media involvement again. I was looking back to when I first started and my draft class was doing so much in terms of media. And I remember being an SMJHL Media Grader going from always having full grading sessions, to sometimes having just 1-2 articles. I also looked the other day and there hasn't been a video created in... ONE YEAR. There was a whopping total of 6 videos created in 2022. I, myself, submitted 8 videos while I was still grinding.

I also feel I might come across as entitled because I'm about to list all these issues but not have a solution. That's because what I think would be fun may not be the same as others. We really need to pool together everyone's thoughts and ideas and create something akin to a Fun Committee. These people decipher all these options and figure out how to move forward.

Conclusion. I agree with PB: "The hoop jumping is fine." Just make the hoop jumping FUN. That's why we're here. Again, I have nothing to contribute at this time. I'm just kind of sick about talking about parity or hearing people talk about parity. I didn't come back to the SHL to win a virtual trophy. I came for the connections with other users and we need to ensure that new users and returning users can all have a good time.

@sköldpaddor FUN