Was it even developers? Or was it people attempting to create relevant content/build a brand online?

I know there is some overlap, but I'm shocked at how credulous HN seems to be in the face of the Internet Outrage Cycle.

Every newsworthy event generates a hoard of people that try to cultivate outrage to drive traffic to their site or to gain some recognition. A lot of this is natural, people aren't even cynical about it.

But it's useless to pay attention to it.