This is the core of the problem. Political posts should be prohibited on here, because each one of these discussions turns into political battle. It wasn't nearly this bad a decade ago. Now there is just no seeing eye to eye with anyone. It's full on "my tribe vs their tribe. My tribe better!". This place would be a lot better for everyone with a "computers or GTFO" rule.

We can't prohibit political posts here as nobody can agree where the line is between political and non-political. We tried having a politics-free week once and it led to a meltdown, and that is perhaps a lesson that the more you try and suppress something, the more it finds a way to resurge.

It's fine for political stories to be discussed here when they really do contain "significant new information" and provide a foundation for people to converse curiously. But that requires people to come here with a sincere intention to be curious and respectful and to observe the guidelines. Of course many don't, and our role as moderators is to remind people of the expectations. But as long as enough people do bring the right spirit, HN can still be a better place than elsewhere for discussing difficult topics.