Over the years, I've subjectively found HN to be less optimistic. The tone of the comments here are not significantly different from many other topics. Note th

Over the years, I've subjectively found HN to be less optimistic. The tone of the comments here are not significantly different from many other topics. Note that I am not saying that HN is now less neutral--it may be that the current level of optimism vs. cynicism maps better to reality. That said, I think more optimism is generally better (for motivating action) if you want to start a new business or build a new technology; more realism is generally better if you want to go down an established path or join a venture purely as an employee; and more cynicism is better if you want to be a rabid online commentator (joke!).