[toyg]

You just haven’t noticed this phenomenon on HN yet.

It’s a fact of life: a downvote button will eventually be used as a “disagree” button rather than some idealistic concept of what moderation should be. Even the most reasonable person has a trigger subject, be it gun laws, abortion, or vi vs emacs.

If you think HN is somewhat immune, you’re in for a rude awakening at some point.

[phkahler]

HN in general also has a couple things that are trigger subjects. Areas there is little hope of making even a reasoned argument. I still like to burn a little karma sometimes ;-)

[paulddraper]

HTTPS-everywhere, Net Neutrality, employee rights.

And of course, Rust.

[mattmanser]

It's more anything to do with women. That's HN's third rail.

[sebazzz]

The difference is that in HN you need to earn your downvote rights (which I have not yet). That should put up a bar for initial down voting, though I agree with you. Some posts of mine have been downvotes, but not for an obvious reason. This means I am more careful posting the next time.