Disappoint me.
Smogon completely changed itself from what made me appreciate it back in the GSBot days, and I didn't quite like it. I know that this community wanted to distance itself from its childish past on MediaDriven and move towards a more mature and elite community, but did so at the expense of what made me like it originally, a fun and laid back SMALL yet effective Pokemon community.
Now its too elitist, too strict, and too serious. Too serious for me. The original members of the community that I appreciated are either AWOL or gone for good, and I can easily see why. The community that they enjoyed back then has changed and the change wasn't good. The few who have stayed around have turned into dicks. Most of the new ones who came in who are now highly respected in the community are also dicks.
I think Smogon needs to become less strict, less serious, and less elitist. Quit being a dick to the newer members just because they aren't as knowledgable. Cut them a break. I can tell you that old Smogon(or neodome/pokegsc) wouldn't treat these people like jerks. I guess now a days theres no need to treat them nice, because back in the day when the community was small consisting of a few dozen the community needed all the members they could get. But now with a large community base theres no need to respect the newer members. Some examples are stupid. Infractions? Trou de Cul? Both of those are pretty stupid. Most Trou de Cul threads are stupid and unfunny.
If it weren't for the people in Stark Mountain who are there to battle and discuss Pokemon I wouldn't even bother coming anymore. The chat sucks, and the non-Pokemon related portions of this forum sucks.
In conclusion, Smogon has become too elitist, strict and serious for my liking. Any disagreeing with the common opinion on things is considered trolling, and its easy to fall in this trap because of the bandwagonning of opinions of those more respected in this community. And because of this, Serebii will always be more popular and have more users. I doubt Smogon wants to be #1 in members and popularity, as that would invite more newbies and younger kids, but I am sure deep down inside thats what the community higher ups really want.
P.S. I don't want anyone to tell me I don't know what the hell I am talking about. I've stuck around this community for years... coming on what, 6, 7 years now? I've probably been around longer than just about all of you, so spare me. I think I would know what this community is and all about.