@SeventhSense I think this is a wonderful question.
I have said this elsewhere, I think a majority of what happens on fluther, through most electronic communication for that matter, is an individual internal process. Meaning people often find themselves refining and expressing what they believe along with why they believe it. I know it is often true for me and I think it is a positive thing.
I also think it is important to put energy towards engaging beyond mental masturbation if we really intend to have authentic conversation. I have great respect for people who notice the perceptions of others and engage with them, particularly, when they open themselves up to change of perception.
I have heard you talk about cognitive dissonance before. It seems to me figuring out how to write questions and answers that stir our dissonance, yet also move us to learn, instead of running away or fighting would go a long way towards gaining truth and authenticity. I haven’t figured it out how to do this yet. I keep pondering it though.