No, I know. My significant other was pointing some things out to me. I have to say that you are correct. There is just a giant soul sucking sound that comes with popularity and commodification.

I remember in ~2005 it became hard to find replacement kingpins. There was the outsourcing to China. For me, pouring these things into a Global Melting Pot doesn't bring out the best in skateboarding per se.

IMO, there are more "lifestyle" people shopping at Zumiez and buying a banana board or longboard and maybe less people skating for real.