Oh nevermind, we solved this. These are the findings of some digging around and direct messaging:
- HigherLogic encourages people to cross post
- OP cross posted to Automic and Water Cooler Forum
- HL does NOT unify these posts! It merely clones or copies the post, keeping track of separate responses for each of the cross-posted threads, and sends out links to copy #1 and/or copy #2 in emails depending on subscription settings. This is probably an Internet-first.
Encouraging cross-posts which are very seemingly not linked to the same responses is probably an Internet first. If people use this, meaningful discussion will immediately segregate into separate threads, duplicating efforts and causing confusion. This is the most (self censored) implementation of a cross posting mechanism as of yet.
Best regards.