The problem with StackOverflow

The crux of the problem is that SO is great if you have a clear question, and a clear answer. More often than not, this isn't the case, or what you're seeing is a symptom of a larger issue that is several layers deep.

Initially, Stack Overflow created comments, but these didn't really fit the need to get further information, except in the most basic of circumstances. To make things worse, sometimes the answer is in the comments, and not in the answers. A few years after, Stack Overflow added chat functionality, and later expanded it to allow private question-based chats, and while these are pretty much a localised Slack/IRC clone, they work well for their intended purpose.

What I don't understand is why this chat functionality isn't pushed by SO. Instead of simply closing a question as a duplicate, or not being clear enough, why not allow someone to request a chat, and to create a forum-type thread that can be attached into the question and answer. If the chat answers the question, leave it to the answerer to re-format the chat into a legible question, and offer to leave a doctored version of the chat for reference.

This doesn't solve the communities constant need to close questions, so I would also open the chat for further discussion around the decision to close. If the decision is overturned by a group of peers, like it is now, the people that first locked the thread should have to part with enough karma to re-open and add a bounty, so that the question is answered properly.

Although, I have to say, worldbuilding has some great responders there, and motor vehicle maintenance and repairs do too.