In particular reference to HN: I read a comment somewhere (I think it was here, or perhaps another site) that Snowden was to HN what the SCO case was to Slashd

In particular reference to HN: I read a comment somewhere (I think it was here, or perhaps another site) that Snowden was to HN what the SCO case was to Slashdot back in the day. That is - times were happier until it seemed like politics took over. I'm not trying to knock either site. What I'm trying to get at is that there's a certain amount of group-think (group-angst in this case?) and if you immerse yourself exclusively in that, you start taking on that view. This 'existential angst' (I really can't think of a better term, though I know this isn't wholly adequate for what I'm trying to describe) is contagious. HN became my daily news source when I finally got tired of Slashdot's political bent. After Snowden, HN has taken on a somewhat similar flavor. Don't get me wrong - I agree with a lot of it. I also know that sometimes I just have to step away from it, for my own happiness. It's not about willful ignorance - it's about picking your battles and guarding your own interpretation and mood against the thoughts and mood of the group.