It also starts some interesting discussions about when areas bleed into others. For instance there is definite overlap on the timeline between dieselpunk and what most consider traditional steampunk. I really love the rationalizations that come with figuring out where one starts and another ends based on historical markers and significant events, and how that plays into creating costuming to reflect those particular things.

My problem is, as it always is, that I'm far happier on the fringes, observing rather than participating. I like to watch rather than create, mostly because it keeps me out of the path of wank. Which is also the reason I don't actually join in on most fandom things even when I love a show. Fans can ruin things for me very quickly, and I don't want to have steampunk tainted for me.

(But yes, the ads would SO be gone. Or there would be one post, with a link on the info page, for people to promote whatever in that spot only and not in the main body of the comm. Not that I've thought about this or anything. Nuh-uh.)