this is why i prefer reddit comments to hn - sure, they can be rambunctious and troll-heavy, but the insightful comments are mostly free of that overlay of sneering cynicism. here's the top reddit comment on the story, pointing out that the idea is not new:

http://www.reddit.com/r/geek/comments/21la0q/14_yr_old_stude...

but with no trace of sneering - it congratulates the kid on a good idea, and points out that ecofont does it and better.

contrast this hn comment saying exactly the same thing

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7487637

but with a far more condescending tone.