In my book there's a difference between respect and adulation. Sure, a high-karma member is likely well-known by the community (especially if he has a track rec

In my book there's a difference between respect and adulation. Sure, a high-karma member is likely well-known by the community (especially if he has a track record of solid and insightful comments) and will likely get away with a silly comment once in a while. This is natural. I just wanted to stir things up a bit and stress that dissent can be good. If HN ever becomes a monoculture due to excessive inbreeding and indoctrination, it will become uninteresting because everyone will think the same. There's richness in variety of ideas / opinions.