[_8j50]

Well I don't see what part of my post disagrees with that. You don't need to lack manners or be unconstructive to offer critical or adversarial input. negativity without merit is hostility with extra steps. That said, if negative comments lack substance, I think it should be easy to call them out and discredit them.

[muzani]

You seem to be addressing a different type of cynicism. Sam's post appears to be talking about the exact same thing as OP, but articulated better.

The problem OP speaks of is probably more accurately stated as "gratituous negativity". Not simply being critical, adversarial, or negative, but indulging in it. When people find satisfaction is seeing others fail, it biases discussions towards false negatives.

HN tried to make gratituous negativity bannable. I don't know how that turned out but it's not in the guidelines anymore.