That's why I said "mitigate" rather than "solve". I personally would abolish the whole system.
The advantage of an email, though, is that it doesn't interrupt your workflow while you're using the software.
So put a "hey, a rating really helps" somewhere in the app that doesn't interrupt?
The bottom of the dashboard. Top of settings. A banner that shows up after a while. Let me permanently say no; none of the passive-aggressive "maybe later" shit.
This is precisely what my app does. It does not interrupt. You haven't used my app. You were only speculating based on one terse screenshotted review, but your speculation is inaccurate.
You'll never have everyone be happy with you. Someone will always leave a one star review eventually.
The problem is that the HN comments want to make it all personal. Certainly the review I received was an inspiration for the blog post, but so was the review that the other developer received.
In general, my own app's reviews are good. I still think the review system is stupid, though.
If you thought the blog post was about me arguing with that one review, I'm afraid that you missed the point. The review was merely a symptom of a larger problem.
People are responding to your specific claims about your specific situation. Don't be surprised by that.
Some internet rando felt you were nagging them. It happens. Some other rando wanted a specific feature and was annoyed it wasn't available. It happens.
I don't think the system serves anyone, not users or developers. Like I said, the system was primarily an afterthought, a product of quickly cloning the iTunes Music Store into the App Store. Apple can afford to remain complacent because iOS is locked down to the App Store.
Developer replies are a good signal that someone's keeping an eye on feedback.
One star reviews let me see what people find annoying, and the insane ones tend to be pretty easy to filter out. Twenty people complaining about something? Signal! One "doesn't do x" in a sea of good reviews? Ignored.
I would note that it took Apple 9 years just to add this feature to the App Store.