Traditional topic-based forums are better, because you can't suppress unpopular-but-correct opinions by downvoting. Even if you don't care about Fake Internet Points (and the reason they exist is because we do, gamification works), if you state something that goes against the prevailing hivemind your opinion will literally be hidden unless users go out of their way to find them.

(and yes, I browse HN with showdead=yes for the same reason)

If it makes little difference either way, perhaps they left it on to quiet those who would keep suggesting they try it even though they already have.