Semaphor meant that downvotes are destroying a community like on Reddit, and there is no need to call anyone a douche.

(I'm just clarifying by the way, I don't agree or disagree that downvotes are destroying communities; I don't know if it's true.)

Thanks for showing yet another difference between HN and Reddit (don't get me wrong, I really like Reddit).

And they are not by itself destroying communities but IMO they are multiplying Eternal September effects.

Reddit is also much more mainstream than HN, I think that has to do a lot with it. Perhaps disabling registrations from time to time is a really good move, plus HN is much more focused. Anyone can make a subreddit about his own cool, weird or funny subject.