Most of my friends have given up on WoW... even the hard-core "I've played since vanilla!" types. I canceled my sub last month and don't regret it. I also have been playing in the Rift beta and it's just not comparable to WoW - Rift is just so much fun and a new world to explore! I even like the factions better (will be playing Defiant). I think WoW will be losing a lot of people the more they cater to the masses.

Oh and that Decemberists album is amazing. My 2nd favorite, after "The Hazards of Love."