From the FAQ

* Be kind. Don't be snarky. Converse curiously; don't cross-examine. Edit out swipes.

* Comments should get more thoughtful and substantive, not less, as a topic gets more divisive.

* Please don't fulminate. Please don't sneer, including at the rest of the community.

* Eschew flamebait. Avoid generic tangents. Omit internet tropes.

* Please don't post shallow dismissals, especially of other people's work. A good critical comment teaches us something.

* Please don't post insinuations about astroturfing, shilling, brigading, foreign agents, and the like. It degrades discussion and is usually mistaken. If you're worried about abuse, email hn@ycombinator.com and we'll look at the data.