I don't understand either as I think it is in the comments that the relationships get formed. I do understand not being able to answer every comment adequately though. There are times I have accumulated hours to just answering comments to one post.
What I think should also happen more is that people talk under the post with each other, not just the author. There is a lot of value in that also. I try to upvote each (worthy) comment too and if people would spend time talking to each other, I would read and reward those also when possible.
You are very much appreciated for encouraging the conversation, dialogue and debate. There are others as well, and I did not mean to disparage them. Will follow and thank you for your reply.