The nub of this thread seems to be motivation and, just like in real life, lots of different things motivate people in different ways at different times in their lives, so it's actually a nearly impossible question to answer. The best thing to do, surely, is to listen to people and to try to provide a good mix of things so as to try to keep as many people as you can happy for as long as possible (always with an eye on the likely cost vs benefit).

So I guess the only way I can answer with any honesty is to talk a little about my own experience over time.

Initially I was motivated by a cheap and no effort (after initial set-up) way to help "humanity". I didn't have any pet projects. Over time I occasionally looked at the way run-time against each project built up, just as affirmation that what I was doing was helping. Then I started to realise it was worthwhile to put the code onto other machines at work whenever I could. If I hit technical problems I'd look in the forum, but I wasn't a regular contributor. Over time I've got more interested in the science, but the reporting never seems to be at the right level for me. Watching the effect of more crunching engines on my scores started to motivate me to get higher scores. Badge hunting was just a way to spread the lurve between the projects.

I no longer have the resources I once had, and I'm not motivated to spend money on new hardware, but I will sometimes leave a machine running overnight just to crunch. I take a special interest in betas, because of my background. I spend more time on the forums because I have more time. I still don't know much about the science. I try to get other people to help because I think WCG is worthwhile, but it's often a hard sell. I've looked at other BOINC projects but none interests me that much, and I don't want to spend the time moving into a new community.

I've no idea if I'm typical or not. I don't care. But I'll share my views in the hope that they'll help others, or help WCG to promote itself better.

The original post mentioned I guess I have to slightly disagree with that. Maybe they're not blind but it's just that other things have become more important to them. So what, people's goals and motivations do change. Just wish them good luck in whatever they choose to do now.

And help WCG find people to replace them. We might even increase our numbers!

I think crunching for a project or many has to be done on a balanced way as well as others things in your life.For me with one laptop and one desk computer crunching is acting on idle time only.I do not want to increase the electricity bill just for the glory of points or badges.Use natural resources with restrain;help around in the community and family and take time for yourself to be able to keep that pace as long as possible that's the way i see it.I am not a geek and the best i can do is to rely on the scientists and the techs to improve efficiency for the benefit of all.
Still crunching.. cheers