Very laudable and interesting prospective....
I think nothing makes a creator more happy than others trying to examine/understand his/her work....This also happens with me....When some one reads my post and makes a genuine comment, I feel so happy(doesn't matter if he/she upvotes the post or not)...
It's in the nature of an artist to expect that his work get explored(even critically)....
I don't agree with the point that "lengthy comments are more awesome", some time terse complements can be more enjoyable and valuable....
e.g. Suppose someone writes a rhyming verse about your post, I believe you would feel honored to have poetry written for you...regardless of verse being short.