Isn't dang a paid employee? If so, incentives are different. Its a day job that he could get fired from if he deviates from his main duties. (dang you are pretty decent don't get fired please).
As for whether or not pay makes a difference, I think you probably have a point, but I'm sure there's still wiggle room there.
Eh?
HN falls under centralized moderation for sure.
Reddit not quite so much. That's more of 'middle management moderation'.