It was always like that. When it started many of us were much, much younger. I was 18! It was always a troll magnet, hell the GNAA started there.
Unfortunately for Slashdot, most of us have grown up while it doesn't seem to have. I can't really see how you can change that culture, all I can think is you would have to do it very, very carefully and slowly.
That said, slashdot is in a better state than SourceForge.
Yeah, you're right; I was in my mid-20's, but you're spot on. I think in the past the story moderation was better so there wasn't even so much draw to look at the comments. I got to looking at the comments as the interesting links went down. You're right about the difficulty in changing the formula. People
I also agree that Slashdot is in much better shape than SourceForge. While it's distasteful, they do have readers still. If the new buyers got it for the right price it might make sense to salvage Slashdot and tear down SourceForge; but sounds like they're taking the decidedly more risky approach of trying to save both.
Unfortunately for Slashdot, most of us have grown up while it doesn't seem to have. I can't really see how you can change that culture, all I can think is you would have to do it very, very carefully and slowly.
That said, slashdot is in a better state than SourceForge.