Hacker News Reader

Comment by dkhenry | Hacker News Reader

I find this title funny since one day google's busses will go to these neighborhoods and then there will be protests about those residents being displaced.

View on HN

And you'll probably be sitting in your armchair nitpicking on the title of another article you didn't read that steps on your ideological toe.

Its not nitpicking the title. Its nitpicking the argument. While I don't live near San Fransisco and can't immediately relate to the geographical arguments around Philadelphia I have heard the same arguments for the past two decades. Neighborhoods protesting because they are "forgotten" as anyone with the means to do so leaves the mess of crime, drugs, and poor schooling. Then as the neighborhoods are revitalized bringing with them the resource to tackle those problems the same residents complain that they are being displaced and that its just a conspiracy against minorities, and the working man.

By and large, articles here should not step on 'ideological toes' because overtly political articles are not supposed to be here:

http://ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

One could be forgiven for not noting that though, given that the moderators aren't all that thorough about nuking them.

Pretending that one can live in a world that isn't deeply political requires a massive amount of privilege, ignorance, or both. Discussing those who are left out or even harmed by the economic and technologic trends that our industry contributes to is a lot more important, valuable, and relevant than reading about some kid's failed startups again and again.

Who said the world isn't political? Did I say that? Did I say I don't care about politics?

Pretending that Hacker News is the whole world is kind of bizarre. I do not appreciate your condescending attitude.

My criticism is of the idea of a "no politics" (overt or otherwise) policy, not you for pointing it out. Said policy on a news site backed by entities with serious capital who work to change the world is troubling.

Sorry for the confusion.

It doesn't take an overtly political article to upset ideological sensibilities. Since technology is inherently intertwined with ideology, it's not possible to have a fruitful discussion on any topic concerning technology (perhaps aside from certain pure technicalities) without stepping on any ideological toes.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com