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Re:Analyzing HN moderation and censorship by anigbrowl on Thursday October 19, 2017 @03:47PM (#15511000)
Huge flame wars get a lot of upvotes and lots of comments -- but it's essentially the forum equivalent of candy.

Sez you. The unspoken premise is that nothing is so important that it's worth stopping to have an argument over. Perhaps I'm misreading your views, but when they're tossed out as an aphorism they come off as smug rather than substantive.

Re:Analyzing HN moderation and censorship by SimbaOnSteroids on Thursday October 19, 2017 @05:01PM (#15511530)
There is a difference between an argument and having a knock down drag out fight.

For example when parents have a disagreement about how to deal with catching their child sneaking in drunk after a party.

This can go many ways but for the purpose of highlighting the difference take Chris and Pat.

(argument)

Chris: Pat, I can understand how you'd feel that way, but considering the family history of alcoholism, maybe we should take a more conservative approach with this.

vs

(flame war)

Chris: Well, Pat... Maybe if your mother had cared half as much about you and your brother growing up as I'm trying to care about our kids and cracked down on you guys a little bit, maybe your brother would have stopped at that red light, and maybe your kids would have an Uncle.

Re:Analyzing HN moderation and censorship by anigbrowl on Thursday October 19, 2017 @07:19PM (#15512373)
Unpleasant as the flame war version is, it does cut to the heart of the matter rather than tiptoeing around it, which can perpetuate a problem. Both approaches have their place.