Comment responding on an Internet forum is low effort (at least initially).

Sure, but also a very low form of any actual benefit.

(Emphasis above is mine)

It got us to talk, and share ideas/philosophies, didn’t it? I’d say it had a benefit.

Also, there are others who read and do not respond that it may affect, that you would never see the positive benefit of such an interaction of those others.

And as I mentioned before, you don’t do it for the rewards, you do it because it needs to be done. Hate should always be pushed back against.