The other side in this situation is far into the barrel.

But it's mistaken to say HN is a free marketplace of ideas.

I could give some substantive points in support of this statement, but it's an old conversation and I've gotten in trouble for the ways I've expressed it in the past.

HN is a "marketplace of ideas" the way Mao's Hundred Flowers campaign was. Post article on controversial or flamebait-ish topic, wait for users to take the bait, then yell at them.

Their house, their rules, and IMHO the good outweighs the bad... but make no mistake, calling HN a "marketplace of ideas" is inappropriate.