"Shouldn't dissenting/minority opinions be promoted in the HN feed?" Ideally, yes. But HN readers/commenters are human, just like those on other sites. It's

"Shouldn't dissenting/minority opinions be promoted in the HN feed?" Ideally, yes. But HN readers/commenters are human, just like those on other sites. It's a slightly more curated Reddit, with a less meme-y marquee, but the downvote button is abused just the same. It doesn't stop me from playing Devil's Advocate sometimes, though. I welcome the intelligent responses when I get them (and there are plenty of intelligent people here to provide them), and usually when I get downvoted without comment I take comfort in the fact that somebody has had their worldview challenged and is silently having a temper-tantrum somewhere. I certainly don't intend on it to be trolling, however. I think an intelligent, civil debate is its own reward...even if one is outmatched. :D