I think we can recognize at this late date that most 'hate' on the Internet is about a form of fun, one kind of social interaction and self-expression and not a

I think we can recognize at this late date that most 'hate' on the Internet is about a form of fun, one kind of social interaction and self-expression and not about the object of abuse. People express hate about everything under the sun (and on HN). Most of it is a performative rant, sort of like a stand-up comedy routine. The target is just material for the routine; nobody takes the comedian too seriously. Every HN thread has it.