It disappeared because people disagree on whether to upvote or downvote comments, or other similar signals of disagreement.
When the HN algorithm sees signals like comments receiving large numbers of upvotes and downvotes simultaneously, or long strings of rapid back-and-forth tit-for-tat comments between posters, or etc, it interprets those signals as "this post is controversial." HN explicitly and intentionally downranks algorithmically identified controversial topics in order to reduce the odds commenters behave badly (which is disproportionately more likely in controversial topics).
The HN algorithm is intentional about a primary goal of driving well behaved discussions, even knowing that means important controversial topics getting downranked.
The fact that the disagreement here is likely centered around whether gimp is good or bad is irrelevant to the algorithm. It doesn't want people to get in the habit of behaving badly on HN, regardless of the topic.
When the HN algorithm sees signals like comments receiving large numbers of upvotes and downvotes simultaneously, or long strings of rapid back-and-forth tit-for-tat comments between posters, or etc, it interprets those signals as "this post is controversial." HN explicitly and intentionally downranks algorithmically identified controversial topics in order to reduce the odds commenters behave badly (which is disproportionately more likely in controversial topics).
The HN algorithm is intentional about a primary goal of driving well behaved discussions, even knowing that means important controversial topics getting downranked.
The fact that the disagreement here is likely centered around whether gimp is good or bad is irrelevant to the algorithm. It doesn't want people to get in the habit of behaving badly on HN, regardless of the topic.