> After ~2016 the US and the Europe and elsewhere became more polarized than ever before. Depending on how old you are the "real" line is 2008, 2001, 2000, 199

> After ~2016 the US and the Europe and elsewhere became more polarized than ever before. Depending on how old you are the "real" line is 2008, 2001, 2000, 1996, 1980, 1968, 1960.... > HN is intended for discussion of technical news.... Technology doesn't exist in a vacuum: its use by humans raises legal and moral questions. Part of the original hacker ethos was to challenge preconceived societal notions through the use of technology. Challenge, question, push boundaries -- but not a certain viewpoint. When George W. uttered the "you're either with us or against us" phrase he was lambasted for ignoring the conscientious objectors, skeptics, and patriotic dissenters. Online debates quickly devolve into binary either-or dichotomies; I think the gray zone in between is where 90% of life happens and where we should devote the most time to listening with empathy and an attempt to understand rather than condemning out of hand what we don't agree with. UPDATE: The fact that I was down-voted for stating the non-controversial obvious proves my point.