As a relative newcomer to the site, it is very obvious that there is a great deal of communication off-board among certain users.
Also that not all users are equal.
First, there is no list of moderators. it is impossible for a newbie to learn which of the voices on a thread might be a moderator or otherwise.
Second, certain users have discussed in public the regular and sporadic emails that are shared among a select group.
That may present an issue for those who are less thick-skinned than me over the feeling that their contributions are being discussed 'behind their backs'
Third, the use of personal names in public threads suggests a clique, or in-crowd that is not available to new users.
Fourth, the absence of a private messaging service on the site makes it impossible for users to ask questions in confidence. All such communication is public, which discourages some types of conversation.
Y'all now pile in on me and tell me I'm wrong. -shrug-