[dang]

The word 'censor' was traditionally used to describe an intervention by governing authorities. People have much stronger reactions to that than they do to actions by peers who have the same privileges as they themselves do.

You're right insofar that a ranking isn't any different based on who did the downranking. But there are other variables than just rank. If you don't believe me, wait until the next time we mess up and misapply moderation power, and see how ferocious the response is.

[re9]

It seems some people just cant live without censorship being applied everywhere around them. If government isnt doing it or by proxy - social media sites, then some users themselves find they need to replace that hole in their life. How can ones day be complete, if nobody hasnt been canceled or shut down or deleted. So amaze. Wow. I am proud of you, Big Boss.

[dang]

We're trying to play a particular game. It isn't censorship to tell the players (i.e. commenters) that they have to play by the rules (https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html).

Say you're in a baseball game. Do you get to tackle the pitcher? No you don't because that's not how baseball is played. If you want to tackle, you should go to a football game instead. Right?