[StableAlkyne]

There's also the communications aspect:

SO was/is a great site for getting information if (and only if) you properly phrase your question. Oftentimes, if you had an X/Y problem, you would quickly get corrected.

God help you if you had an X/Y Problem Problem. Or if English wasn't your first language.

I suspect the popularity is also boosted by the last two; it will happily tell you the best way to do whatever cursed thing you're trying to do, while still not judging over English skills.