Is FT8 killing amateur radio?

I found an interesting opinion piece article on this topic by KE8FMJ on the DX Engineering 'On All Bands' blog site titled 'FT8: Saving or Destroying Ham Radio?', and it got me to thinking about my views on this mode.

A snapshot of FT8 signals received

For me, this mode has a lot to offer and is in large part why I have recently resurrected my amateur radio hobby after several years of inactivity. FT8 in combination with small, portable, inexpensive radios like the Xiegu G90 (which I own) now means that with minimal expenditure I am able to work lots of DX with a very modest station. 

Granted, being close to the peak of solar cycle 25 is helping...a lot...but the weak signal capability of FT8 is a real advantage for us little guys, and increasingly so as cycle 25 tails off over the next few years.

So yes, I am a fan of FT8, as much as I can appreciate how it might irk the traditionalists who prefer more of a personal touch to a QSO, or the need for greater effort and skill to snag some nice DX. I too love those aspects of amateur radio and enjoy nothing more than tuning across a quiet band and hearing a faint signal, and then working them with my compromise antenna. I do believe though that there is room for all of that, and more, as amateur radio evolves, as it surely must, and will always do.

Coincidentally, it was another new digimode that gave me reason to get back into amateur radio back in 2005 when PSK31 came to my attention. That particular mode led to many contacts on all bands from 40-10m and eventually led to my interest in RTTY which quickly because my favourite mode of operation.

Based on my personal experiences then, you could make the case that the continuous evolution of amateur radio, and new modes of operation (perhaps with greater appeal to a more technology savvy generation) are a very real driver for the introduction of new hams to this wonderful hobby, and to resurrect the hobby for a few older lapsed hams such as myself.

In summary, FT8 gets my vote as a worthy addition to the hobby. I hope to make the most of this mode, and others, for as long as cycle 25 provides QRP friendly propagation on the HF bands.