>>uuilly+(OP)
Some of this is because the HN demographic is young enough that many readers have never seen anything like this before, and thus think it's the Worst Thing Ever. I base this on the numerous counterfactual statements showing a lack of historical awareness in discussions on contentious topics.
Of course, I think this is partly the result of not teaching civics in schools.
>>cpayne+r1
I have a 5-digit uid there and remember when it really was a great site. But the comments started to become pretty terrible almost immediately.
I still visit it every day just to skim the articles, but only about 20% of them are interesting/something I didn't see posted somewhere else.