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Quite right--in fact, I love your analogy. :)

On places like Reddit (or HN, for that matter) though that would suggest hiding users you don't like or avoiding subforums you find disgusting...not griping to management to remove them for you and everyone else!

I like that analogy as far as you go, but I think that there's a third component to remember: Bob doesn't have to hang out with Catalina if she wants to spend her time listening to Ann. (This misapprehension is generally borne of a complete misunderstanding of the First Amendment and the idea of "freedom of speech".)

> when Ann is yelling stuff Bob can put his fingers in his ears, but can't cover Ann's mouth nor Catalina's ears

I really really wish more people would get this. Too many people in Bob's position try to go beyond just coving their own ears. And that extends beyond Reddit.

That's because a lot of people aren't just talking, they're building cultures that will take action against others.