I'd say that the biggest difference could've started with me.
If you see the list of when did each member of 7th gen first come to OT (or rather, when they first became active), you'll see that there's a 5 month gap between AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH and me. All others before me with the exception of Sam and Winnyace had their peak of activity way before I first joined OT.
Also, there weren't many newcomers and... well, had no idea what to post in here as I had almost no newbies as reference (thence it took me around 5 months to obtain my denizenship as well.)
So, I started the snowball, but I'd say that later members, especially the furry ones, kicked it downhill and turned into the avalanche it's now 7th gen.
So, I mostly agree with abraker's decision by moving the first members of 7th gen to the 6th, as I have seen them more active with 6th gen and earlier than with... us.