As a long-time FT subscriber, I and others have noticed a very steep decline over the last year or so. Before, I didn't always agree with the comments, but they were usually at least somewhat insightful. Some readers suspect an organized incursion of state-sponsored malefactors. One certainly notices more of the bile on certain types of subjects (Russia, China, internet, US political system) than others.

I think this is a general problem with comment sections. It seems to be both a symptom and a major cause of the decline of civility in the 21st century.

HN is /very/ unusual.

Indeed! Any good writeups on what makes HN work like it does?

I think - good written policies, excellent moderation with a light touch, and a smart crowd that votes up interesting stuff and votes down the yokels.

See the HN guidelines, and dang's/pg's writings. Most of the magic lies within.

comment sections on news websites are consistently so bad, to the point where a lot of them don't even remove strange MLM spam I think it's just better to turn them off tbh.

Yes, disappointingly bad across the political spectrum.