It's sorta blinding to look at. IDK if this was implemented with the new layout design or if plans are being made to add a background to the forums, but I think it'd be a little easier on the eye if at the very least, the white spaces to the sides of the forums and threads (potentially also between posts within threads themselves) were either a solid colour, patterned or featuring artwork.

Edit: Just to add, my issue is not so much with the brightness as it is with the amount of white/one solid colour - like once you've scrolled down past the upper header, the forums and posts are incredibly plain to look at.

I also think it's kinda weird that you can see that bar beneath the avatars (and a little above/just below the username) still? The bar is clearly white, whilst the background is an off-white, and it looks pretty peculiar. I wouldn't mind seeing the entire avatar background completely white, as at least then there would be some distinction between the avatar and the rest of the thread.

I typically adjust the brightness of my screens to be fairly low because I have sensitive eyes. So I've never had a problem with the white on here.

With my brightness down, it's a pleasing gray.

I think its less the brightness I have an issue with, but rather the large block of the same colour. It'd be nice to have some other colours to break up the huge spaces of white.

Ooo, maybe a night life toggle that switches the cityscape to the old one and darkens the background! '3'

I also support a dark layout, which can be in conjunction with the spooky layout or just a layout on its own. I use fl.ux on my desktop to make the screen look warmer and less blinding to the eyes, so I never really had a problem with the white, but I also wouldn’t mind to see some more colour if they complement each other c: