A “literal crowd” sounds mildly pejorative. I think it’s more that HN prefers productive, rational discussions. Sarcasm is passive aggressive and a more circuitous route to the point than a literal one. Last, sarcasm isn’t usually even funny. When it is, it’s only funny to those who are with the point.

Critical feedback is still actionable. We don't need to guard adults from hearing difficult things and feeling difficult emotions.

That’s not what’s being suggested at all though. The problem with sarcasm is it’s boring but feels oh so clever to the person who writes it.

Let’s say block headed and pretty dumb.

Name calling is rarely useful. It certainly is not in this case, in addition to be patently false.