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I don't really agree, at least not given your examples. "This article gave me cancer" seems like trolling to me, by your definition.

People here are blunt about stupidity, sure, and maybe it has a more cutting effect because it's more likely they're actually pointing out stupid mistakes, rather than just name calling or something.

Here you're derided in a more accurate, skilled fashion.

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I think the author is questioning whether that is a good thing or not. Do we want to be in a culture of posturing and derision?

I for one do not think it is a good thing or something to be proud of. Criticism and derision are different and being toxic or caustic just brings the level of communication down. It does not reflect well on our industry either.

This comment was actually to an article I wrote. Here https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6828726

I don't believe that it was trolling.

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