The problem seems to me to stem from voting mechanics. As soon as you allow Likes or Updoots or what have you, it enables a pernicious sort of groupthink that's

The problem seems to me to stem from voting mechanics. As soon as you allow Likes or Updoots or what have you, it enables a pernicious sort of groupthink that's not easily defeated. Despite 4chan's reputation, I think anonymous message platforms have the highest quality of discourse because there's no way to develop cults of personality. If I disagree with, I dunno, 'tptacek about something to do with security, I'm going to have a bunch of downvoters and pilers-on irrespective of whom is right and whom is wrong, because Thomas is a big name round these parts (not to pick on him or anything) and I'm not. Remove the username and each comment has to stand on its own merits.