While a lot of it is definitely longing for Ye Olden Dayes, much of it is just a longing for the ability to have something to talk about! I think one of the things that Joss Whedon's shows did was to inspire people into other areas that they never thought they might enter -- people discovered fandom at large, got into other things, conversation was encouraged, and so on. They were a great entry-level force that I don't see in any other fandom. Heck I think even people who didn't watch any of them felt their impact by widening the fan base so much.

Most of my friends who've been in fandom a long time are kind of tired out, the newer ones have drifted because the things that brought them in are gone and they have no passion, and the ones who are still active consumers think they shouldn't say anything because they're just consumers. Ergo, no one's saying much of anything at all. Ennui, I guess. And as passionate as I am about F&F, no one is talking. There's writing going on, but no talking. For most people that's fine; for me, it's a huge hole. I'm a talker, I guess.