I'm almost sure that you are not totally unaware that much knowledge and culture has been transmitted since ancient through channels such as discussion. And also that discussion, if conducted properly, it is often thought provoking.
On a forum community like this, you get the chance to discuss around a wide variety of topics, some more of your interest and others less so. Or you can use it as a source to access to wide number of old discussions, articles, thoughts and opinions, by a a variety of different people.
And all of this for past events as well as present trends. Or analyses of what's to come. Then you have the possibility of getting into a relaxed, friendly and even entertaining talk, where you exchange jokes or put yours and others' wit to test. Or you have the possibility of engaging on a more serious discussion, about politics, or social and economic trends, while broadening your views because the people involved come from backgrounds which differ on several degrees to your own. Or you can start your own discussion.
The ultimate option is coming soon with the blogs sub-system. Not even soon. They are already configured. I have discussed how the blogs are an excellent option to complement forums discussion, in a way that I think that it is interesting to this very thread. Here:
Stirpes Blogs
While I'm writing this, I'm probably one who enjoys it less than others. For the simple reason that in order to keep the forums within a bare minimum degree of quality, I have often to engage in absurd arguments with people who come with their miserable agendas, seeking to destroy or to harm what has taken a long time to build. Fortunately, I've learnt to even turn an argument started ad absurdum, into a discussion of at least a little interest.
And certainly I would rather have a discussion with a real political opponent, than with any of the miserable wasters of the lunatic fringe. It is most unpleasant, but someone has to do it.
The alternative is to isolate yourself, squat on the floor and stay hours looking at the horizon (if you are lucky to have those views, else at a white wall), and rest your head over the palm of your hand while you pretend that you are thinking.