The parent poster goes on for length operating under the assumption that no one on HN that is participating in this discussion or up-voted the news item shares

The parent poster goes on for length operating under the assumption that no one on HN that is participating in this discussion or up-voted the news item shares the same views that Doctorow does. I believe you have misinterpreted. The parent post does not refer to HN readers, but to the obviously ambiguous "most people". The post it was in reply to distinguishes between "Most of the world" and "we" (meaning HN readers), and I propose to you that it is the former group that was meant. The parent poster acts as if HN readers/participants are just like rats dancing to the Pied Piper's tune, that need to be woken up. That appears to be precisely the attitude it is rejecting, in reference to Cory's desire (as described by the parent to that post) to protest loudly something that it is said few who don't already know actually care about. I would also point out that you yourself drew parallels to the specter of Nazism (http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1237826 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1237826) and of unheeded warnings. Are you yourself not acting as though others need to be woken up?