>linked content (disable security features to improve performance) is very clearly a relevant topic for hacker
True, but not relevant to issues of partisanship and ideological battle.
>domain and Trump's infamous catch-phrase seems like an intentional choice that is worth discussing.
Theoretically, maybe. In practice, well take a look at the actual quality of the comments being made.
There is a restriction actually. This is pulled from the guidelines-
> Please don't use Hacker News for political or ideological battle. That destroys the curiosity this site exists for.
It is possible to discuss a political topic without the discussion becoming a "political or ideological battle".
It's definitely challenging, but it is possible.
I think it is a real problem that someone should try to solve. I visit a good number of expert communities and they all tend to be highly on topic. This is a good thing without question but I've often noticed the community is completely oblivious to what happens outside their bubble. I suspect most of the accidental battles are from being years behind on the discussion with the people they've talked with every day for the last decade or so.
I don't claim to have a solution. Programming philosophy or Programming politics do not seem very attractive but I do suspect there to be a big adventure behind those curtains. It's not like code is not political, lacks a philosophy or ideology. But the best we could do was "stop spying on me!"? hah
The linked content (disable security features to improve performance) is very clearly a relevant topic for hacker news and the apparent association between the linked domain and Trump's infamous catch-phrase seems like an intentional choice that is worth discussing.