[atoav]

As you said, being critical to a certain degree is what allows is to make things that work. And there is enough stuff happening to be mad about.

I wonder whether those who feel the place has become too critical are not actually in dire need to face that cricism instead of finding some exuse why they would rather not.

[bell-cot]

Some, probably yes. BUT - engineers are also humans, HN is not (99.9%) their job, and humans have social needs. If they are [stuck] trying to meet their human social needs on HN (& similar platforms)...then the oft-cynical/critical/pessimistic atmosphere here is really not gonna be good for their emotional health.

Back in the day, western society offered humans a far richer social life - neighborhoods, churches, formal & informal social & service clubs, etc. Now - those are, mostly, dying or gone, thanks to relentless capitalism and mass media. Families are far smaller and more fragmented. But the human needs which they met are still with us.