I think SO has 2 problems : 1) it want to be a repository of canonical knowledge, a giant FAQ and wiki of everything. The problem is, that it does not fit the

I think SO has 2 problems : 1) it want to be a repository of canonical knowledge, a giant FAQ and wiki of everything. The problem is, that it does not fit the way the site actually works: people will write imperfect questions, precisely because they don't know the answer, and ask the opinions of their peers about things. But they are not domain experts writing documentation so they often get down-voted or their questions closed. 2) There is a karma system in which more karma gets you more power. Inevitably such system attracts people in search of fame or power, and this kind of people get off by telling others that they are smarter than them, or that they know this little site rule better and consequently censor their question. As regular users become fed up with the state of things and leave the site, the position of high-karma users become more entrenched. Then, those users obtain total control over the meta board to veto all fix proposals, make up even more draconian rules, and entrench their position even more. Problem 1) causes inadequate meta rules, and 2) zealous enforcement of these rules. Some combination of 1) and 2) prevent the site owners from changing the rules.