Depression is a pretty touchy topic. People use their own beliefs about depression either as a buffer that helps them feel that they can handle their problems, or as an excuse for not being able to handle them. I can forgive people for being sensitive to disagreement on this topic. Also, it's easy to damage people if you convince them of a wrong view of depression. I'm concerned about that.
> I've certainly seen a lot of negativity and mispaced arrogance in the past on HN, and a number of times it has made me reconsider whether or not I want to be part of this community. This time I'm getting closer to that decision.
I've had that feeling sometimes. I've just changed my behavior to not get into debates when it isn't worth it. I find that people tend to appreciate my comments... some get upvoted a moderate amount, some get downvoted a moderate amount, but it comes out in the positive territory.
> Perhaps the excessive negativity in HN is what is causing/exacerbating some people's depression?
Well, people need to diagnose that and then stop participating in HN if that's the case. I think that can be a completely reasonable course of action. Ultimately, you can't blame HN for it; you have to blame the person's choice to stay or leave.
Depression is a pretty touchy topic. People use their own beliefs about depression either as a buffer that helps them feel that they can handle their problems, or as an excuse for not being able to handle them. I can forgive people for being sensitive to disagreement on this topic. Also, it's easy to damage people if you convince them of a wrong view of depression. I'm concerned about that.
> I've certainly seen a lot of negativity and mispaced arrogance in the past on HN, and a number of times it has made me reconsider whether or not I want to be part of this community. This time I'm getting closer to that decision.
I've had that feeling sometimes. I've just changed my behavior to not get into debates when it isn't worth it. I find that people tend to appreciate my comments... some get upvoted a moderate amount, some get downvoted a moderate amount, but it comes out in the positive territory.
> Perhaps the excessive negativity in HN is what is causing/exacerbating some people's depression?
Well, people need to diagnose that and then stop participating in HN if that's the case. I think that can be a completely reasonable course of action. Ultimately, you can't blame HN for it; you have to blame the person's choice to stay or leave.