One of the attributes of the haskell community that I take pride in is the balance between democracy and upholding standards. High technical standards such as correctness, ease-of-reasoning, brevity are valued, as well as high community standards such as humor, empathy, addressing the other with dignity. All the above, coupled with an openness to the world-at-large, is the kit and kaboodle of the accidental haskeller. So when the response to a newcomer boils down to "take your basic questions elsewhere", I wonder about these values and I wonder about the community's openness. I for one regret losing the opportunity of exploring very interesting questions about syntax, even elementary syntax, a common obstacle faced by many. Consider how Haskell syntax was designed in a rare confluence of events requiring tremendous buy-in (and patience, and empathy, and openness) from a superficially similar but actually a very diverse group with vigorous, opposing opinions. In an environment that turns inimical to such basic, foundational values -- whither progress? I feel the loss deeply. -- Kim-Ee