Just sayin: Why does it seem that we're forgetting the parallel evolution that occurs in this game? Players come, players go, some stay, some leave, some lead, some follow. All the complaints I read, about new towns splitting old towns, or of lack of players; they all seem to come and go in wave's. We'll have one day where the server crashed its so full, then other days you could have FLIGHT capabilities and not find a single soul out there. (Dont worry, Im just making a point. Im hax-free.)
And I have to kinda point out something I keep seeing. People (who assumeably build their own) really do get pissed off when a new town pops up. Why? If "your" town had something to offer, then you wouldn't have to complain. People leaving and moving on is ONLY natural; as I said before, one that plays out time and time again in our own Social Evolution's.
I guess im sayin' that the revolving door we're seeing here happens everywhere, in almost every game I've played- and theres no surprise to that.
All it does is cornerstone those players that still kick it here, and have lasted the test of time. I think the mere presence of someone on the server is more important than where they LIVE on the server.
EDIT: Also, Minecraft is kind of a hard sell to the "sheeple". It takes a level of creativity (one we all obviously have just by even showing up) that is sometimes troublesome and mind-numbing. Also, the biggest test a newbie can have is one of griefers, and that'll weed out alot of people REAL fast, if its not accepted.
Since you dont run around blowin faces off with a shotgun, our pool of possible players instantly is slashed. We should appreciate the dedication and comradeship that comes from the players here now, the builds of those who have moved on, and the fun to come from the true-blue new MC players in the future.