there are benefits to keeping the chat visible, even though you fully intend not to contribute to it. Seeing the comments of other players gives you a read on what their state of mind is
Agreed.
A related point regarding "right speech" in general. It's well known that Daniel Negreanu chats a lot during table poker to provoke information from his opponents. I would strongly advise other players from assuming they can easily adopt this practice, since it takes a real master to be able to make it work, but in principle it demonstrates that "right speech" isn't necessarily no speech. Provided that you have awareness of your speech, its impact on others and on yourself, you can use it to your advantage.
I'm on the right track here right?
I think so.
A couple related add-ons are 1) independent of whether we decide to use speaking as an information gathering tool, we still need to be rehearsed at how to be on the receiving end of an interrogation and come out ahead. 2) Even an expert at the vocal game needs to also be an expert at the quiet game for those times when it occurs naturally or on purpose.