I think you're right, but I'm conflicted about this (both online and in real life.) I sense there's something for me to learn here. My question: Is it right to

I think you're right, but I'm conflicted about this (both online and in real life.) I sense there's something for me to learn here. My question: Is it right to accept abuse? Larry seems to be saying it is. Trying not to be offensive is a skill. I think just trying to be aware of it is a good way to practice it. Trying to not be offended is harder, but when I've used the "how to disagree" approach, of examining the facts presented (minus the imaginings, opinion, connotations, tone, attitude etc), and replying to them only (also in a factual way), it has been very effective, and also seemed to somehow close it off, and I didn't feel offended anymore. It's a pity this article is dead, because I think the issue you raise is a very interesting one. Not specific to Hackernews, but more as a "how are we to live" philosophical question, and a very intellectually stimulating one.