> What has happened to people that even on HN a good number of the comments here are sympathetic towards harassing academics because they say something you don't agree with?

Where is your paranoia coming from? I'm not seeing any comments supporting harrassment of academics.

> I only comment about this because it's a bit concerning to me how wide spread this type of irrational paranoia has become.

So you are paranoid about the irrational paranoia you are seeing everywhere?

> It's the rage towards people who have dedicated their lives to studying a subject holding a different view that I find concerning.

Nobody is upset about people studying. The article is almost entirely about 'scientists' and 'academics' who are involved in politically sensitive issues ( climate change, gun control, covid, etc ) getting some pushback.