I downvoted your comment on that thread, because I found it representative of the kind of drive-by flaming that's become endemic on HN. I was going to reply to

I downvoted your comment on that thread, because I found it representative of the kind of drive-by flaming that's become endemic on HN. I was going to reply to you, but didn't feel that doing so would bring anything new to the discussion or lead to anything other than a flame war. So instead I'll say it here: what sucked about your comment was not that you dared criticize the Great Dave Winer. What sucked is that you did so in a mean-spirited, dismissive tone. You can get the same point across without being a dick, and as much as it may seem like pointless platitudery, saying things like, "I get where you're coming from, but..." and, "it's hard to tell solely from what's written, but my impression is..." really do let you deliver the message in a way that's less likely to offend, and more likely to be heeded. Parsimony in code is good. Parsimony in interpersonal communication can come across as brusque, dickish, and dismissive. It's worth thinking about how what you write is perceived, in addition to saying what you want to say.