I don't think this take is necessarily wrong, but HN isn't a forum for free and open ideas in the way you're getting at. The purpose of this site is to surface

I don't think this take is necessarily wrong, but HN isn't a forum for free and open ideas in the way you're getting at. The purpose of this site is to surface content and discussion that is likely to be considered insightful, engaging, interesting, etc. to the specific demographic that reads this site. Consensus moderation is on point for this. You let the demographic that is on the site determine the value of the content on the site. Content that appeals to a minority of the demographic here is unlikely to get traction. That's kind of the point, I think. That doesn't mean minority viewpoints are unlikely to get traction, I do see engaging takes on minority viewpoints get traction on HN, I assume because they are both interesting and fun to engage with for the demographic that hangs out here.