Hi, Cal.  Cal, I am new at this "Hub Leader" stuff.  I was a Hub Leader many years ago, but there were others on the same Hub and I never really had to make decisions... pretty much I just stayed in the background as someone who posted.  Of course the general economic situation is going to have effects on the future of LAC.  More important to me is the fact that you are taking the time to post at all.  I have the advantage with you because I have followed your posts for years on another message board and I know your focus is always centered on the purpose of the message board, to provide both information and valuable, well thought out opinion that focuses on the subject and is free from personal attacks... so you make it easy, Cal.  

I am going to make mistakes at this job.  My desire is that this Hub grows quickly with new membership of the same quality as you, Cal, so that someone far better quaified to be "Hub Leader" can take over and lead this forum.  In the meantime I know there will be occasions when I will feel compelled to step in and move a topic over to the "Off Topic Forum".  I just hope I make the right decision when those things happen.  

I have given this "Off Topic" situation some thought and I think one solution might be in reference to how to introduce an "Off Topic" situation.  I am aware that if you initially post it over on the "Off Topic Forum" then your attempt to get discussion on the subject you present will not be addressed since not everyone will routinely check the Off Topic Forum and, instead, just monitor the topics listed here on the "Discussion Forum".  

So.. I think what might work is to post something here first with a reference to whatever your selected OT subject is about, a very short reference to it, and then direct the readers over to the Off Topic Forum for any further comments about that train of thought.  This way we won't clog up the "Discusssion Forum" with topics that are tangential to the main focus here:  LAC, Lithium Mining, Applications for Lithiium in the Market Place ( Example:  Lithium Batteries and Li Ion Battery Technology), economic factors that have a DIRECT effect on lithium mining as well as the Demand vs Supply situation for world wide lithium consumption.   

I view those topics listed above as the main focus on the Discussion Forum and, in general all others should be over at the Off topic Forum.  JMO, but that is all I have to go on right now.  

One theoretical example, Cal.   Say I wanted to post an article that delt with the effects on the economy here in Nevada about the casinos still being locked down due to the SARS-CoV-2 situation.   I might just indicate in a short post here on the Discussion Forum: 

"Nevada Casinos still under shutdown.  How this is detrimental to the Nevada economy.  See my post over on OT for more.  okiedo "

Then I would go over to the OT and post my more lengthy comments and possibly any links to articles relevant to that subject and/or quotes, etc.  

My goal is that whoever happens to cruise onto this site, whether by accident or on purpose, is initially impressed with the focus of the Discussion Forum on those sumbjects that I listed above as the "Main Focus" of this Hub.

Hope this helps, Cal.  

I am going against my own advice by posting this here on the "Discussion Forum", but I believe your question is one that everyone else here now and in the future will want defined.  My definition isn't the best, but it is the one I am working with for now, Cal.  I will make a copy of my reply to you and post it over on the OT Forum as well, for future reference.

Thanks, Cal!!!

Bill    okiedo