From what I've seen over the last few years, there's a lot more of this than there was and a lot less photography talk too. It most certainly puts me off and is a reason I'm spending less and less time on here.
If I wanted to read about politics, football or religion or any other non-related crap I'd go to a forum that specialised in that. I wish those that do, would.
I'm all for disagreements and good debate - that's healthy, but this is supposed to be a PHOTOGRAPHY forum after all.
As for the rest . . .