As a result, the same talking points are repeated and reinforced, and challenging them becomes progressively harder. The illusion of openness is maintained because established users with good track records of not rocking the boat are able to sometimes suggest new ideas or avenues of discussion that don't threaten the overall culture that has developed, but radical new ideas are rejected and considered dangerous.
I do not view this as healthy, and I take the negative reactions towards the new threads and the arguments that took place during their initial creation as justification for their implementation, rather than a reason to rescind their existence.