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I think it gets that tag after some threshold of flags and then has to be revived. >controversial I would say there is some contention going on in this thread

• neogodless 5y ago
  This is a complex problem. The original post seems to be a collection of facts and information about a thing. The thread should have some discussion about what to do with this information, but of course there has been politicization of issues like this (bizarrely, since I'm not sure who benefits from the disinformation!) But in this case, the flags have the effect of just hiding an informational article, which may be the desired effect if you believe it is politically disadvantageous for facts to be shared and discussed. There's no way for me to say all that without being on a "side" even if I really do not wish to be, and for the moderators, the issue might be similar, though I suspect some can break down the issue with a clearer lens.
  • dqv 5y ago
    This is just how it works on HN. It's not the first time an informative article has been flagged and it won't be the last. All kinds of articles get flagged. You have to check in on /newcomments to find interesting discussions.
• egeozcan 5y ago
  The question is, if some people stop believing in computer science and flag basic programming articles, would that have the same effect on CS and Math articles like it did with biology and statistics? To be more general: Do politicians really have the superpower to stop the spread of any information through polarization?
• shkkmo 5y ago
  I don't see any of the degredation of discussion that usually justifies flagging articles.
  • dqv 5y ago
    Almost every top level comment is grayed out - that's a sign of controversy.