For some of us, the idea of putting a smile on someone's face via comments on here is one of the biggest draws. I think, hope and believe I can speak for a lot of people when I say that that is the sole aim of a witty comment and that there is no intention to derail or disrupt anything.
It may just be my personality but I can't remember the last time I had a conversation of any kind that I didn't throw in a quip of some description at some point. It may just be me and even if it is I neither make nor offer any apology. It's how I get through life and I can think of very many worse personality traits.
Can't imagine anything much more bland and dispiriting than discussing even fishing at Gas Mark 9 serious without a bit of banter thrown in.
Whether you're a pessimist or an optimist doesn't affect the outcome, but the optimist has a far better time waiting FOR the outcome.
Beer, barbel and banter, that's my bag. You don't like it? Fine, shop elsewhere. Laters, Taters.