I have felt a difference since I first started lurking at OU. I don't think it's really been a negative change, I've always just perceived it as OU growing up into IU.
OU always felt...counter culture (for a lack of another term). That might have been a perception we all created, talking about how Universal didn't really notice us, how other sites were invited to press events, etc. With that counter culture, we seemed a bit more...free. Maybe we weren't, maybe we as a group just cared less about perception from outsiders or new people. We were welcoming because we thought it was cool that someone else joined. I was so happy to stumble upon what I perceived as this hidden gem.
Then there was a shift. People started getting followed in the parks. HTF, Bob and others were getting noticed. Caution crept in. I can't see a blog post like HTF's Kong piece happening now. Universal is watching and there are real life ramifications for the site and those on it. The site grew and matured and became a go to for the internet. Teebin took over the mantel for HTF, but in the current situation, he has to be cautious. He has to be the Cheshire Cat.
The discrepancy you're facing as mods now is between those who were "raised" in the era of that Kong Post and those who have joined more recently. People in the former column, seem to relish the days living in that dark corner of the internet. What put this place on the map ended up shining a light on it and in doing so, eliminated that dark corner. Some are struggling to adjust. Brown Shirt Universal and other sites are no longer "the man", so people seem to be rebelling against mods. Right after the transition to IU, when you were finding a way to balance this new mission statement, the need for help, and the merging of the staffs - that was really when it seemed to hit a head. People weren't really upset by the doubling of information, or the fact that Hollywood was sharing equal billing, it just seemed that light got a lot brighter. IU was fully legitimized. People need to get used to the changes, but I love that you are loosening up on moderation.
Off topic discussion is where the community aspect can be rebuilt. I love the idea of, "Does this have to do with theme parks?" - "Have at it for a bit." "Is this truly controversial?" (Not Screeeenz controversial, something more so) "Shut it down."
I appreciate what this site has done, what it has become, and where it is going. It's been an amazing transformation, but I certainly don't envy you. The creation of this whole thread harkens back to the old days, and I think that's fantastic.