I think this is what happens when you mix current affairs and politics with a partially anonymous, virtual discussion system. These topics are incredibly emotiv

I think this is what happens when you mix current affairs and politics with a partially anonymous, virtual discussion system. These topics are incredibly emotive even amongst the most rational of agents. Discussions about pure tech, running a business, hacking (in the non-geopolitical sense), investment, etc. (i.e. what HN focused on pre-2009ish) continue to be quite productive here. (I'm not saying current affairs and politics aren't worth discussing, but they're worth discussing in better venues that provide appropriate features for participants. What we're seeing here is the equivalent of discussing high end fashion in a haberdashery forum.)