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by sangnoir 1144 days ago
The purpose of flagging is to indicate that a story does not belong on HN. Frivolous flagging—e.g. flagging a story that's clearly on-topic by the site guidelines just because one personally dislikes it—eventually gets an account's flagging privileges taken away.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12173836

1 comments

GP is arguing that it does not belong on HN.
I'm arguing GP personally dislikes the story despite its merits - it very clearly is related to tech - even though it doesn't need to[0]. Evidently, GP is wrong about it belonging to HN. Flagging a link that doesn't break HN guidelines, only because it offends your sensibilities is abusing flagging rights, IMO.

0. HN links only have to be interesting, to belong. They don't have to be tech-related, despite this being a widely-held belief.

GP claims it is not interesting:

> exhausting sociopolitical drivel

>> exhausting sociopolitical drivel

That quote would be exhibit A for antipathy, rather than "uninteresting"

No, I do mean to say it's uninteresting, because I can predict all the replies. Without any factual basis for discussion, it will inevitably devolve into a predictable - and thus uninteresting - argument rooted in opposing idealogical positions of a culture war.
If the linked article does not contravene any of HNs guidelines, all your predictions on how the conversation could turn out still does not meet the bar for flagging.