I don't think usenet is slowly dying because people don't like to argue about comics (or whatever) anymore, but it's a really old protocol that's extremely bandwidth-intensive to employ and a lot of the reader programs aren't terribly user-friendly or cost money, which web forums don't. Still, I understand missing an old community. IRC is slowly fading off a bit too, which I also think is sad.

Otherwise, all good interests of which I can approve. I know you are thrilled. ;)