The purpose it serves it purely one of feedback, by the community-at-large(*), to the authors of nodes.

That's what I've been saying ;-) I agree on what you describe as the special atmosphere at PM; although I think that while maybe especially striking here, it is not restricted to just this site but seems to be a common theme among the Perl community in general. Which is one reason I find the language such a nice, cozy experience.

Makeshifts last the longest.