As far as I can tell hackernews is the local optimum for what you describe. The site is far from perfect and so am I, but I have a better chance of substantive

As far as I can tell hackernews is the local optimum for what you describe. The site is far from perfect and so am I, but I have a better chance of substantive discussion of topics that are interesting, difficult, or both here than anywhere else I've found on the Internet in recent memory. Snark and irony are both discouraged here, which I appreciate all the more given my unfortunate inclination towards both. It's evident though that conversation is far more intellectually nourishing when they are held to a minimum.