I agree the rules for quality content over nonsense at HN have been widely overshot. I wish comments and submissions were judged on value alone - interesting id

I agree the rules for quality content over nonsense at HN have been widely overshot. I wish comments and submissions were judged on value alone - interesting ideas, new facts, entertaining reading - irrespective of content including some silliness or even gasp potty-language. I have been criticized and downvoted many times for being "snarky" even if I made a factual and well-reasoned comment. This is the goddamn Internet, not tea with the fucking queen. I'd prefer a community that values substance over style and passion over politeness. (Not like there is anything better than HN and I just got downvoting privileges so I am not going anywhere for a long time. Bwa ha ha ha!) And I get it, I can be a real dick. Ask anyone. I don't blame anyone for being mad at me occasionally but I wish others would have enough tolerance to get over their delicate feelings enough to appreciate content that does not jibe with their own self-delusions or is written with uncomfortable emotion. I am feeling a little burned by this today. This morning I clicked a link off the home page to read a rant by weev against people bashing bash and Stallman. Reading that felt like letting loose a fart built up after a long job interview. It was a joy to read something so frank and passionate whether I agree with it or not. (And in this case he made some excellent points.) It made me realize how stuffy and afraid of breaking consensus everything else on HN was. I hit my back button to comment and it was no longer anywhere to be found. Shame on you, HN.