HN is already perceived as an argumentative forum. Now imagine if the ratio rule wasn't there. FWIW I find it just as effective on Bluesky and Twitter for myself. Ratioed threads are usually more heat than light.
I’ve always seen it as a place that is quick to tell people to back off/treat each other with respect
As long as you make a good argument that's not flippant or rude, people will engage with it.
I hold very controversial points of views and never really experienced personal attacks (perhaps sometimes downvotes but that's not a deal breaker for me) when I express them here.
More to it, I tend to upvote comments I disagree with it.