If the quality of TechCrunch comments were higher would you think about it? I'd actually love to participate in an engaging discussion on AVC.com, for example. But when 200 people have commented, and 75% of them are tooting Fred's horn, it's no fun.
If 75% of them thought it worthwhile enough to "toot Fred's horn", then in general, 75% of them might enjoy the rest of the comments also "tooting Fred's horn". I agree with you, but that's not something that can be ignored. Groupthink can be intoxicating.