First thing I do when I see "more replies" is click on it, knowing this is where the juicy stuff or counter argument is.
Like in HN, when it says [dead], I have to read it, to see whether I agree with it being [dead] or not ;-)
So there is certainly psychology there, at least to me, that makes me dig further. By hiding stuff behind a click you actually make me want to read it more!
Exactly, which is why I don't understand this feature. If you can't really hide replies, only instead call attention to the replies you've "hidden", what is the point of it?
I'm skeptical this will have the civilizing effect they hoped for.
But the way the feature works is to fork the conversation. Now, both ideologies can continue their threads of discussion without necessarily disrupting the other one.
I always think of kuro5hin when these types of containment features are brought up. It's kind of like "your freedom to swing your fist stops right before my nose" type of protection.
And if you don't, vouch for it :)