Is the parent OP light gray because of the status of the poster or due to downvotes? If it's the latter, it saddens me that this Reddit-esque behavior is findi

Is the parent OP light gray because of the status of the poster or due to downvotes? If it's the latter, it saddens me that this Reddit-esque behavior is finding footing on HN. You may (vehemently, even) disagree with what the parent post states (I do too), but that should not be a basis to downvote, especially when they stated their POV respectfully.