That is certainly one possible outcome. However HN already supports tools to minimize the pain there via comment folding and/or hiding down voted comments (the

That is certainly one possible outcome. However HN already supports tools to minimize the pain there via comment folding and/or hiding down voted comments (the option for that is in your profile). Optimistically speaking another outcome is also possible, fewer people feel the need to down vote comments so topics where people are using moderation to suppress an unpopular opinion (rather than moderate an objectively bad comment) might see fewer flamewars. Of course incorrect posts should still receive moderation but this also ensures that errors are accompanied with corrections -- which doesn't always happen at the moment. HN's moderation system certainly isn't the worst I've seen. Far far from it!! But I do think now is a golden opportunity to review it's moderation system to see if any tweaks could enhance the experience. Doing nothing is sometimes just as bad as doing the wrong thing. :)