I Concur, ... and a poll with only 18 votes can hardly be taken too seriously.

Take a look around. There's maybe only 20 ppl on this site now. And the 2 who didn't vote prolly wanted to vote for the 1st option

Welcome Back, Mason! You create super images! Let's talk Website Spirit. What's it been, 14 yrs. since your last entry? If voters and contest participants are any indication of "Site Spirit", this your last contest (2009) https://photoshopcontest.com/photoshop-contest/2795/three-mysterious-dots.html garnered 54 entries, 899 voters and 61 comments. Today's (2023) and a typical contest of these days, https://photoshopcontest.com/photoshop-contest/1004857/pc-innards.html took in 5 entries, 19 votes, 5 comments. At this rate of decline In your estimation how much longer will the PSC "Spirit" remain more than a vapor of the past?
Mason... Old Yeller's time is at hand. PS's "Generative Fill" (AI) has the potential to evolutionally transform PSC into an alive productive energy, or it could indeed be PSC's final coffin nail. Do nothing and well... I'm certain PSC will suffer the same fate as Old Yeller. So in closing I urge everyone to by any means post images, vote, comment, be active in the forum, use the chat, and submit source material. It's time for action, not excuses! Please Chop, and vote for an image's merit and personal appeal.
"Generative Fill" is incorporated into Adobe's Photoshop. It's here guys! What am I supposed to do, stand on principle and not submit to (AI) even though it sits upon my desktop? Shoot... guess I'll stop obeying those pesky traffic lights as well. How dare they tell me when to Stop! *sarcasm*
By the way, I voted "Hell No" on this threads poll but have since change my mind. And I for one am not afraid of being fooled by AI. Not here, not on this playground.

Thanks, I'm sure kid me of the past would be thrilled at the compliment for those old chops. To answer your question, I'm always surprised that the site is still going at all despite everything. I commend your spirited optimism in regards to the second coming of PSC. I felt the same way once. If life permitted me the spare time and energy to get back into casual competitive chopping I probably would.
Not really sure if the rest of your post was directed at me or was just being said in general, but let me reiterate what I said previously that I love AI tools and they are certainly going to have a permanent place in the digital artist's toolbox going forward.

I'm not quite sure of your logic or the overall point you're trying to make.

Ditto.

It's really not that difficult to understand, Mason. If the site is funded it can survive. So think about it and try the link below again. "But you do seem to be enjoying the site (tracking and posting in the forum). Would you consider purchasing a membership as a sign of appreciation? Here's a link https://photoshopcontest.com/advantage/index.html"

Good to see you part of the mix, Mason!