The decline of Stack Overflow is rarely attributed to just one factor, but a recent viral discussion highlights a harsh truth: the platform’s culture accelerated its own obsolescence.
As AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Claude entered the scene, developers didn’t just switch because of speed—they switched because they were tired of the hostility. For years, the community was notorious for rigid moderation, gatekeeping, and condescending responses to newcomers.
While AI doesn’t always provide the perfect answer, it offers a judgment-free zone. This combination of instant gratification and psychological safety has proven irresistible. In hindsight, if Stack Overflow had fostered a more welcoming environment, it might have retained the loyalty necessary to survive the AI revolution. Instead, the toxicity made the exodus easy.
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