> As it happens, I agree with you about the likely intellectual deficiencies of at least some of the people you're responding to in this way. But pointing them out in this way is unnecessary and counterproductive, and makes HN incrementally a less pleasant place to be for all of us. Please stop.

On the other hand epo could just downvote the comment without furnishing a reply or explanation, which is practised by other HN readers. This is a cowardly tactic and is very 'anti-hacker'.