[azhu]

It is indeed a difficult balance to strike between keeping things cohesive and keeping them from becoming an echo chamber.

There is something to be said for allowing "flamebait". What's flame to one may be a welcome splash of water for another. Matter of fact, it might be that people who espouse so much "flame" may have legitimate issues fueling that flame.

There is absolutely also something to be said for wrangling conversation so as to keep it constructive. It's the balance of the two that achieves a community that remains healthy over time and not just healthy according to the popular values of any given time.

[dang]

The problem with that argument is it doesn't take into account the existential risk. Sure a few flames may be stimulating but at some point the house burns down.