Please don't post in the flamewar style to HN, regardless of how provocative another comment was or you feel it was. I can understand how that bit could have rubbed some commenters the wrong way (it affected me that way too), but confirming the point is not a good way to respond to it.

By HN standards, let alone internet standards, the thread was unusually mild. Of course that provocation made it angrier, but I'm sure it was unintentional.

Unintentional? Are you blind? Nah, just a member of the elite boys club. Bye.

Forcing togetherness or “unity” is the best way to turn me away from anything.

Silly? No, just suspicious of judgements and valuations like those.

I've never heard a call for "unity" that wasn't really saying "abandon your principles for mine."