The problem is that a huge fraction of people are worth talking to, but a small fraction -- 5%? 10%? -- can poison that well so thoroughly that it is unusable.

The problem is that a huge fraction of people are worth talking to, but a small fraction -- 5%? 10%? -- can poison that well so thoroughly that it is unusable. Being a ham operator takes some effort and is harder to exploit, so most people you talk to will just be normal humans -- enthusiasts. But the internet attracts every freak and scam operator in the world. I'm reminded of various "free" rock concerts of my youth, which were often disasters -- too many people, half of them stoned or otherwise out of control, etc. -- things I quickly learned I would pay to avoid. Things that are too easy attract people I don't want to interact with.