the point I think I'm trying to make is that #mastodon cuts off a lot of options for referential communication, and I do think that limits discussion. you can't say "let me bounce off of your comment to make my own point", or "remember this thing I said? I thought about it and I revised my opinion" in an easily accessible way. this means you're forced to either reply directly to the person (ENGAGE ME IN DEBATE, STRANGER), or make your own post and lose the context (miscommunication likely).