The original comment has positive rep because it's actually pretty good. What HN doesn't like is a wall of memes and in-jokes that are actually pretty repetitive and boring. Without a high bar for humor that is what all tech communities will devolve to, witness Slashdot, Reddit, etc.
What all HN readers know and need is a good balance of humourous as well as serious content. Humor is not easy. We should cut humor-aspirers some slack and never vote while angry.
I agree with you in principle, but even as someone who regularly gets downvoted trying to make jokes, I understand the derision towards humor here. The problem is people just aren't as funny as they think they are, and at the same time jokes often derail the conversation.
While HN isn't perfect, I think overall it's extremely well moderated. Although I have to admit (and I have other accounts which are much older, so I'm not new here), it does seem to be slowly slipping in the wrong direction as it becomes more popular.
That's obvious. Maybe my question was no direct enough. Are you afraid to state your own opinions? I mean, you are still more or less anonymous, at least for average reader.