The problem with creating off topic forums is that it is similar to subreddits. If people come to HN because they followed a political link thats in an "off top

The problem with creating off topic forums is that it is similar to subreddits. If people come to HN because they followed a political link thats in an "off topic" forum, we've attracted the type of discourse we are trying to avoid. Consider HN an experiment in "socialism," where it can really only work with one visionary leader (PG?) and a small, controllable community. Empires based on sound foundations (Roman,Ottoman,British, and soon America) eventually spiral out of control due to their unfocused momentum. This could cause a lot of people to be unhappy with HN - but then they are complaining about something that HN was never designed to solve. Manage expectations. The internet is a big place, I love HN but I can't imagine its the only place for logical discourse.