While I think it only makes sense that people will end up developing OOC friendships - and it's beneficial, since those are an important ingredient to having good and long role-plays with people - I agree that the 'excluding others' element is a really bad thing (unless they deserve it, due to being disrespectful or toxic). Unfortunately, that sort of thing tends to happen everywhere.

It's similar to popularity contests, honestly. A person who's been part of a site for a long time will have a reputation and their words will be hailed over those of a newcomer even if the newcomer was the one who had more insight or made a better argument. I've experienced this sort of 'side with the person you have a history with, not the person who's right' mentality from people more than I care to mention.

So while I definitely agree with people forming friendships, I disagree with them excluding outsiders or newcomers and I have no respect whatsoever for people who jump on the bandwagon over whoever has more reputation. Like I said in a previously post -- this is a writing site people; it isn't Facebook. I'm the type of person who'll side against a friend if I think they're the one being an asshole.