In the last 23 years I have had a tank for 22 years and 6 months. Had periods without a tank two times, when I moved states. I have been on the board and even President of large local clubs for a ten year period, I have moderated large sites (in the helpful way, I never banned anyone), I have taught basic aquarium science in several high schools.
I have seen a lot of people come and go.
Unfortunately the direction of the hobby and the community has changed tremendously. We provide new people with pictures of systems that are unattainable and then try to sell them the next great piece of gear, or an even more expensive coral so they can reach a fake pinnacle, which is unobtainable.
So many of the hobbyists have jumped on that band wagon, instead of away from it.
Corals that have a track record in our hobby of being beautiful and easier to keep are often shunned in favor of corals that are "new" and let's be honest photoshopped or filtered to the point of non recognition. Both hobbyists and stores are guilty of this.
IMO the hobby has had it's peak and will likely get smaller. Soon we will all have the newest designer corals and frags will be harder to sell. So prices will drop, and the people in it for the money will leave too. I remember when the Tyree Green Leather was $125 for an inch frag. I traded in 8 for $900 and the person was happy. That same coral is $15 now. It was beautiful and desired 15 years ago, it's just as beautiful now.
Also the support system of the hobby seems to have broken down. Partially because of Covid yes, but also in my opinion, because there is a large percentage of people who are not happy with their own tanks as they are comparing it to those photoshopped systems online. So if someone is not happy on their own, they are less likely to feel impowered to help others.
When people get into the hobby, pursuing a goal that is unattainable, their only outcome is to fail, and they leave.
It's been a strange progression. We need to get back to the backyard swaps and local meet ups and away from the corporate stuff IMO. That will help us go quite a long way. The corporate events moving away from education is also concerning. The hobby really was moving along in a good direction and took a hard hard turn.
Again, JMO.