I think you overestimate the extent to which many LW users comment to help others understand things, as opposed to (say) gain social status at their expense.
Be careful when defining the winner as someone other than the one currently sitting on a mound of utility.
Most lesswrong users at least profess to want to be above social status games, so calling people out on it increases expected comment quality and personal social status/karma, at least a little.
I think you overestimate the extent to which many LW users comment to help others understand things, as opposed to (say) gain social status at their expense.
Be careful when defining the winner as someone other than the one currently sitting on a mound of utility.
Most lesswrong users at least profess to want to be above social status games, so calling people out on it increases expected comment quality and personal social status/karma, at least a little.
Unfortunately, professing something does not make it true any more than putting a sign saying “Cold” on a refrigerator that isn’t plugged in will make it cold.