One might wonder what HN will look like when all posts are flagged, and hypothesize what conditions would be required to realize that.
Something to consider as these posts keep getting flagged.
Controversial topics aren't the problem, it's the level of intelligence, ability to observe forum etiquette (read faq / guides) as well as the ability to read the room before adding a comment - one that falls towards an effort to post something of additional value or quality.
Just search Dang's recent posts - they should clear up any nuances to be had, stuff which seems to fall outside of the guide lines.
As for flagging, as I view the dead threads as well, so much is just a repeat of earlier posts hours in not a hour before - maybe from a slightly different angle ... an inch or two to the left or right. I think, IMHO, it would be hard to find a thread that was flagged that wasn't something similarly posted in the last few days.
The recent uptick in flagging is inline with the increased political based argumentation that comes with Don Old being the figurehead of the US govt, happened 8 years ago too
If someone doesn't like the post then don't upvote. See a bunch of stuff on hn you don't like then start upvoting and submitting stuff you like.
Those that are flagged for _legitimate_ reasons, because they're links to scams, malware, or paywalled materials are best taken out of circulation. I'm glad that moderators do this. I know Dang disfavours posts with the potential to burst into flames, and that's questionable, but somewhat okay. That's really the moderators being smart and making less work for later when a mess needs clearing up. But such preemptive policing is dangerous.
Those that are flagged because they challenge the politics of the dominant creed here, are are getting more frequent, at least in the few years I've been watching HN. Flagging is used to suppress speech for sure.
But flagged posts remain accessible and useful. I can usually tell when an article is flagged because it's disagreeable to a certain mindset, and then go read it. It actually signposts the things I might want to read more.
What's getting jolly annoying is the rapidity with which very interesting posts get flagged while one is still reading and replying to them. This makes HN increasingly feel like a place where participation is not welcome, which is sad.