I enjoy hearing different perspectives and I appreciate when errors or misconceptions are corrected during threads. I don't like the nastiness. The relative anonymity of the Internet is a disinhibitor: some people feel less vulnerable and more empowered here. Others feel that this is a domain where they can tilt the bully-victim playing field in their favor and get a bit of 'payback' (unfortunately, it's rarely directed at the folks who bullied the folks posting on HN).

Being able to be critical in a positive/constructive way is a difficult skill to master. Of course, this begs whether someone wants to actually critique or bully. If you're here to bully, ignore my post (or bully me). If you actually care about respecting others and having others respect you. (A colleague and former editor/moderator of an online media forum shared these with me).

1) First, ask yourself whether the comment is worthy of a response, or if you are just entering an argument. If the latter, think whether arguing with this person in this forum is really the way you want to spend your time. (Think, too, if you'd engage in this conversation in real life) 2) If you want to participate, type what you intend to say. Study it carefully. Did you 'add value? Did contribute an intelligent remark? Did you attack someone in a personal/offensive way? Would you be offended if someone commented in this manner on your post? 3) Read, revise, re-read, and revise again until you've convinced you've expressed yourself in the clearest and least offensive manner.

If you can use humor, be assertive, and enhance the thread by sharing what you know or feel, is there really any need to reach for more (or less)?