[parley]

You're arguing for charitable interpretations of statements by people who claimed Go didn't need generics or even that Go was better without them, saying that one should be able to change ones opinion without being called dumb. I fully agree.

Similarly, a charitable interpretation of what kubb wrote would be that they are referring to those who might have been dishonest in their defense of Go's lack of generics, which one might say kubb does indicate by using words like apologetes and zealots. The Internet is full of people who pick a team and will say dishonest things in perceived defense of it. I agree with kubb in this regard. That is the charitable interpretation of what kubb wrote, but instead you assumed kubb referred to everyone who ever voiced that opinion and suggested kubb should refocus on what kind of person they want to be.

The Internet needs more of charitable interpretations, and HN in particular. Perhaps I failed to interpret you charitably now? Nuances get lost easily in online debates... :)

[throwaway894345]

I sort of agree. The most charitable interpretation is that kubb is “nutpicking”—addressing the least articulate and worst arguments of a community. But he would do us all a favor to acknowledge explicitly the boundaries of his criticism. For example, I hold the position that generics aren’t necessary, but that they will make some code more clear and a lot of other code less clear (and this has long been my position)—does kubb’s criticism apply to positions like mine? Am I his “zealot”?

Moreover, using terms like “zealot” to refer to people with whom one disagrees is very likely to inflame the thread (as indeed it already has, to a degree), whatever kubb’s intention.