Well, I also feel that this year HN discussions are seeing more bickering and more endless discussions where we have seen each side’s arguments a thousand times. The discussions feel a little bit more predictable than pre COVID. Or maybe I just spend more time in the comments...

I don't think it's just you. It does feel like the comment section quality has dropped since the lockdown began.

I still can’t think of any forum with a higher discussion quality, but people seem less friendly.