> If SO isn't willing to provide that kind of discussion, they're going to very susceptible to someone who starts up a competing platform to do so.

Isn't that kinda what hackernews is? The breadth of discussion here is far more varied than hackernews. I'd also think a place like lobste.rs or maybe an architecture specific slack would be a good spot for this.

I personally think it is fine for SO to set boundaries of what is acceptable discussion, and at the same time it is ok for you to be frustrated with that and think of other places to ask your (very valid) question.