I'm sorry, but I just don't see that. Just because jokes and 'net memes get downvoted does not mean that we don't have camaraderie and understanding here. It just means that what we consider a positive environment here is about something more than a skin-deep, superficial veneer of joviality and light-heartedness.

Look at some of the threads where people have posted "Woe is me, I need a job and my wife is sick and my dog is dying and my car just fell over" and look at the generous offers of help and posts of support those get. Look at the "Hey, I'm coming to SV and want to visit some people, who wants to get together?" posts and notice how many people chime in to say "Hey, come see us." Look at the threads about depression and related topics, and notice the people saying things like "If you need somebody to talk to, call me anytime."

I think HN actually has (mostly) a very positive vibe, and I'm glad that jokes and Internet memes and (most) "me too" posts are downvoted. There's a place for that stuff... that place just happens to not be HN.

Now I'm not saying HN is perfect, and I won't even argue that the level of discourse hasn't suffered a bit the last few years. But, by and large, this is one of the most civil and productive forums I'm part of, or ever have been part of.