These so-called ethical AI researchers are not really doing much science, not even truly researchers. They are more like politicians, and are playing the game of politics.
Better people-skills and emotional intelligence would work wonders here, compared to immediately reaching for the hatchet and communicating through demands and ultimatums. Reflects very poorly on them for their inability, in this case, to start a civil conversation which can be ramped up in so many appropriate ways.
Read the "Toxoplasma of rage" by Scott Alexander or watch the "This video will make you angry" by CGP Grey.
No immediately reaching for maximum impactful tools will leave you behind and those who are not so "shy" to use strong words will advance and get more exposure. It's a memetic race. You get more attention for more outrage. Rewards and incentives shape what we see.
HN is a special place with extreme focus on avoiding that fate, extreme alertness in moderation day to day, explicit anti-engagement features like cool off periods, no pictures and emojis etc. People who can stand staying on a mostly colorless pictureless site with no memes, are also self selecting to be a tad more thoughtful than social media people.
