"It doesn't really serve any learning purpose for people to hold back on comments that might be helpful just because a particular member happens to be well like

"It doesn't really serve any learning purpose for people to hold back on comments that might be helpful just because a particular member happens to be well liked." It's the politics of HN. If you say anything bad about Patrick (no matter how true or constructive) or say anything against the status quo (example: legalizing MJ), you will be down voted.