While I've never expected particularly high standards for Slashdot and the discussion here,
Entirely agree:
I think that this is a new low.
When I became a member ten years or so ago, and was a lurker for a few years before that, the jokes were always there, but mixed into an often in-depth discussion of math, science, programming, etc. I don't read or post as often as I used to (I was never a major contributor, and the few 5s I've ever gotten were for funny comments rather than for anything important) myself. Perhaps older users are simply moving on (only two of the comments are 6-digit UIDs, the others are either 7s or ACs), or maybe no one's had their coffee yet. Also, today is a holiday in the US (come on, rest of the world, talk about Saturn!!). There are still good discussions, but yes, this particular set of early postings is disappointing.
"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature... Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." -- Helen Keller