what name did I call someone? I strive to specifically not use ad hominem-type insults when discussing things, and I don't see it here?
should I just stop posting any thoughts I have that run contrary to the general sphere of accepted thought here? should I take downvotes to mean "we don't want to hear what you have to say"? if I post something that others find disagreeable and reply to it saying as such, should I just abstain from responding?
The word "disgusting" at the end of the flamebait sentence in your GP comment counts as calling names in the sense that the HN guidelines use the term: https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html.
You don't have to stop posting contrary thoughts, but you definitely have to stop posting flamebait. Teasing those two things apart isn't always easy, especially when the nervous system is running high with strong feelings (I'm not talking about you, but about all of us). Those sort of comments are not what HN is for, regardless of how conformist or contrarian they are. What we want is curious conversation. If you can comment from that place, then it's fine, and as a bonus, your comments will be more likely to engage curiosity in others. It all requires a much lighter touch.
I see, thank you. I believe I understand, finally (including retroactively for recent posts). the only thing I'm fuzzy on is where the line of "flamebait" is drawn. was this whole thread flamebait, or just my flagged post specifically?
should I just stop posting any thoughts I have that run contrary to the general sphere of accepted thought here? should I take downvotes to mean "we don't want to hear what you have to say"? if I post something that others find disagreeable and reply to it saying as such, should I just abstain from responding?