Cut off the infected limb and block the site to Google entirely. Or split HN in an active and archived branch with an upvote threshold, the latter is made accessible by Google.
I have to admit I agree. I really like the benevolent dictatorship which does not allow that kind of BS, even from me. (The time dang gently reprimanded me for some kind of sarcastic attack, upon reflection, I decided that I liked this high standard, and resolved to do better.) I’d hate for it to change too.