What is the nature of the forum? Is the quality post the most important? In my opinion, if a forum is full of quality posts, then it becomes a scientific journal. The forum I like is an easy discussion environment.
I don't think bitcointalk is lost. Still it is one of the best Bitcoin forum with quality posts and with zero spamming.
I very much agree with the reply from above. Bitcointalk is still the best forum with many quality posts and in no way its anything close to a scientific journal. It just has the right balance, I think which is why in my opinion its the best crypto forum.