I didn't read this comment as tribalistic. At it's most cynical, it's pointing out that HN manages to capture a pretty broad range of perspectives despite people's tribalistic tendencies.

This assumes that's a helpful dichotomy, which implies categorizing people into such groups, which every indication I've seen those labels are overly broad, highly inaccurate, or used whenever convenient to imply some guilt-by-association. To me they only work to be dismissive of people regardless of the merit or quality of their points and splits everything down ideological lines, which naturally pushes people to protect their side with an us vs them view of things.

HN should work towards having thoughtful discussions and providing useful contributions. It shouldn't be about tolerating particular political views or not. That shouldn't be the mod's job.

I interpreted the use of labels as partly poking fun at how trigger happy many people are with applying those labels. Actual alt right and "sjw cesspool" comments get flagged and dead. Me I felt that the comment meant to communicate that divisive issues that elicit these labels (but don't actually warrant them, hence the quotes around both) are permitted on HN and that is something positive.

> HN should work towards having thoughtful discussions and providing useful contributions. It shouldn't be about tolerating particular political views or not. That shouldn't be the mod's job.

I agree and I'm confident the previous commenter would as well. The only piece of nuanced disagreement I have is about the involvement of moderators. I agree that ultimately it's the users that need to do work towards providing useful and thoughtful discussion, but moderators do have a crucial role is fostering and maintaining that kind of culture.

> I interpreted the use of labels as partly poking fun at how trigger happy many people are with applying those labels. Actual alt right and "sjw cesspool" comments get flagged and dead. Me I felt that the comment meant to communicate that divisive issues that elicit these labels (but don't actually warrant them, hence the quotes around both) are permitted on HN and that is something positive.

Thanks. You've captured my intention very well.

The idea that anyone would refer to people who champion for social justice as a "cesspool" is so disheartening. Equally disheartening is the idea that people find it a strength of HN that it is a haven for the hateful, illogical and damaging rhetoric of the modern Nazis, or the "alt-right".

Positive discussion is frequently derailed and halted by the "alt-right" presence on HN. Their presence here should not be welcomed, much less seen as a strength of the community.