I find myself agreeing with Caylith in particular.
Discovery has come a long way, and needs the structure to support it. Sure, this creates animosity and the detached feel that someone has in a city rather than the tight-knit feel that someone has in a village, but its a price that everyone has to pay to allow growth.
In many ways, disco is worse than it used to be, but in many more, its better. Busy days see close to 200, 72 more than the hardcoded limit of the game. Encounters happen everywhere, from the most remote systems to the most populated, all the time. Even at the times of lowest activity, the playercount is higher than it was at its peak times two years ago.
The price that was paid in the forms of rules and regulations is worth it for what we've gained. Of course, we'd like to have none of the drawbacks at once, but that isnt possible. As Stoat says, common sense is needed from the overwhelming majority, but I just dont think that will happen.
