> I think people often underestimate it, but one of the biggest influences you can have -- I mean you, the HN reader! -- may be cultural.

By the same reasoning, people can haze each other (in school, the workplace, etc.) for their positions on things like abortion as a "cultural influence." Is that ethical, though?

If I personally, on reflection disagree with you about Julian Assange, should I be blacklisted from the industry? Serious question.