Comment by alexaholic
5 years ago
This looks like an attempt to ridicule the guy. He’s made a simple request and he doesn’t have to explain himself. The other parties can comply or not, they may ask questions or not, but surely publishing this non-story to HN and have people interpret his actions, fantasize about his understanding of OSS, their social skills etc, and eventually deride him is a bit hostile and immature.
Folks, he’s a human being. He’s made his desire known and you don’t have to like it, understand it, or agree with it. Just leave him be.
Like his request, the submitter can simply submit this to HN for us to simply look at it and, like the author, we can simply share our thoughts, and everyone is free to think and feel whatever they do. We are human too, social animals and all that.
Are HN readers/commenters known for harassment? How alone are folks supposed to leave him?
I have no answer for your last question, and I don't think there's a well defined line. Maybe the line is that we shouldn't share comment drama. The reality is that these kinds of discussions can lead to bullying, and that's what's not so simple about just discussing issues like this.
You can be free and not deride anyone, both at the same time
I agree that situations like this are scary, because they can lead to mob mentality. I wonder why you're downvoted for this.