I think people put up with this because StackOverflow is considered a technical Rank Badge. The higher the score, the more opportunity and respect you receive.

I think people put up with this because StackOverflow is considered a technical Rank Badge. The higher the score, the more opportunity and respect you receive. I agree that pedantry is a big problem but it also occurs on HN. Rather than closing topics they should redirect those "off-topic" questions and answers to a new forum. Or... someone should create SLACKoverflow for these off-topic Q/A's. I am sure it would be helpful and receive lots of page views to boot.