With over 1700 subscribers, the mailing list gets a _lot_ more eyes on any particular question. You'll get an answer faster, not slower, by taking advantage of the suggestions and answers provided by the wealth of experience that long-time users and devs bring to the list.
It also prevents problematic issue workflows for questions where either the issue is closed immediately but then discussion continues on a closed issue; or, the issue is not closed, discussion dies down, and the issue remains open indefinitely waiting for further potential replies.
