Whenever you create a group to accomplish a goal, you cut out diversity.

The elimination of diversity can come from the creation of some unified goal or purpose, but not always. The root threat to diversity is the shunning of ideas and/or behaviors that run counter to group think. Sometimes that's good, sometimes that's bad, but either way the creation of a group identity comes with the pressure for individuals to conform unless the embracing of diversity and individuality is part of the core group philosophy. Even then though, there will always be pressures to conform, such is part of being an active member of a group after all.

That said, I wouldn't describe members of Hubski as "intellectuals." Instead, "intensely curious" stikes me as a much more accurate descriptor. It leaves room for intellectualism as a trait, but it also embraces equally important attributes in people such as enthusiasm and joy, openness to discovery, encouragement and support. Don't get me wrong, there are some very, very smart users here on Hubski but I think that on a regular basis everyone on exhibits the capacity to be much more than that.