>It’s possible to assume goodwill and sincerity in the limited case of a site like this Even that's changing steadily, albeit slightly more slowly/subtly. The

>It’s possible to assume goodwill and sincerity in the limited case of a site like this Even that's changing steadily, albeit slightly more slowly/subtly. The slower pace is likely due to the superior moderation here, combined with the astuteness of the HN crowd. But, that latter point also makes HN a prized target for propagandists and trolls. And, if you look closely, you'll see them, including here on this thread. But, the rest of your comment is spot-on: the sociopathic troll feasts on good-will and contemptible views should be met with contempt. In fact, however, this is their strategy: purposely earn contempt then claim to be the victim when that contempt is paid. For instance, they trigger vulnerable people, then attack them further when they try to defend themsleves. The trolls justify these attacks by claiming they are the actual victims.