[xerxespoy]

Be great for threads like these if HN had both:

1) A block function so we could cut the massively-upvoted, one-sided comments and get to the impartial or contrary information buried underneath them.

2) A "unfade" button to see the massively-downvoted comments.

I've generally found when threads take on this imbalanced and highly-polarised state, the stuff on the top isn't the cream.

[wvenable]

I see no reason to provide additional support for threads with limited value to the HN community. If you want to discuss politics or general news there are plenty of sites for that.

[jamiesonbecker]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but this entire posting is literally a discussion of politics/general news.

The tone of "I see no reason.. limited value" seems a bit condescending to what appears to be a sizable portion of HN that values intelligent debate, and there can be no debate with only one viewpoint.

[xerxespoy]

Agree such threads presently have limited value, hence suggestions granting readers greater dominion over them. Sans, excessive polarisation remains a risk for any topic.

[0df8dkdf]

Who can actually down vote on HN?

[gruez]

you need at least 500 karma.

[striking]

You can collapse threads you no longer intend to read.

[jamiesonbecker]

> You can collapse threads you no longer intend to read.

True, but only if there's more than one thread on the page.

[gruez]

We get it. You want "dissenter" but for HN.