[Cyph0n]

Seriously? So when I see someone on HN who I think is clearly wrong, I can't say that? I agree that my tone could be improved, but I only said it that way in response to the parent's tone.

Also, how was our argument a "flame war"? It only lasted for 3-4 replies, and was quite civil in my opinion.

I tend to always agree with your decisions, but this one is a bit too extreme.

[dang]

It's not about "tone" but content and it's quite simple, though always harder to see in one's own case. The HN guidelines say this:

When disagreeing, please reply to the argument instead of calling names. E.g. "That is idiotic; 1 + 1 is 2, not 3" can be shortened to "1 + 1 is 2, not 3."

Similarly, "You have no idea what you're talking about if you think for a second that a foo like bar would baz" can be shortened to, "A foo like bar wouldn't baz."

HN's rules apply regardless of how other commenters are behaving. If they didn't, we might as well have no rules, because it always feels like others are behaving worse.

[Cyph0n]

Damn, those are some specific guidelines haha! I will make sure to dial down my responses in the future. Thanks.