I don't only post about crimes, actually.

For example, I've been posting a lot about the housing supply problems.

Does that change anything? I've been noticing a positive shift in the public debate about housing supply and NIMBY in NYC. Both here in this sub and in the public view on our city politicians. But I don't think I can take any credit for that.

I post primarily to learn more from thoughtful replies by fellow redittors. I don't only post to shout my views, but to also elicit meaningful/intellectual challenges to my views.

I learn a lot from truthful conversations here (when the other person is debating in good faith) and that has genuinely shaped my views many times.

After all, how should I know what to support in reality?

IF the dominant mainstream discourse was sufficient, we wouldn't be observing those issues in reality, or at least we would have an intellectually sound explanation for it.

That's just coming from my desire of educating myself before throwing myself behind any solution in ways that go beyond just understanding the mainstream opinion.