They are shaming them for using the "social experiment" label.

That question is comparable to the type of question which is often used in politics to silence opponents. In that sense it should be against HN rules, as to whether it is I don't know.

As far as I'm concerned he just asked a question which can be answered without the need for 'defenders' to show up and challenge the questioner - and with that stifle the discourse here.

The same logic applies to the question you're replying to. Were it me that was asked the question, I'd simply say "no, I was just curious."