I've observed this too. But I'm not sure it is related to this '08 article (I joined about half a year after it "aired" BTW, so have no data point on how HN wa

I've observed this too. But I'm not sure it is related to this '08 article (I joined about half a year after it "aired" BTW, so have no data point on how HN was before that). I think a lot of the stuff you highlight has happened in the last year - and accelerated in the last 6 months. Views are appearing to be less informed and commenting lot less jovial. We do seem to be getting more content on politics and religion now too (more than there used to be). (r.e. civility; I totally agree - I distinctly remember getting into a disagreement in my first month here and it was about the most polite argument I ever had :D Pretty sure we both converted each other in the end!)