What do you make of our collective passion for comparing notes?

Consider the most popular question formulas we see here:

—If you could <...> just one, <...>, what/which would it be?

—What is your favorite <...>?

—What is the most/best/least/<other superlative> <...> you have ever <...>?

—Have you ever <...>?

What do you think about this apparent compulsion to compare our experiences with those of others and to look for trends, norms, and prevailing opinions among the views of fellow flutherfolk? What’s the use? What do we learn? Is it just conversational? What is the point?

Yes, indeed, this too is such a question.