Look at the person's post history that you're replying to. The fact they have two grey'd comments in this thread is just a touch of what their post history contains. As HN grows, I learn more to consider who I'm responding to before giving them my time replying.
Fair point. I generally think edge cases are still a good indicator. How do you treat those not worthy than those who are. I bet they just hired someone else so did not bother following up.
Originally I was being sarcastic, but aren't you also a stranger? We are all strangers. The fact that his response was gray doesn't make him more of a stranger than you not being gray. Perhaps they made an account to voice his opinion?