Shadowbanning has two obvious benefits for the site:
1) Increases the time it takes trolls to realize they need to create a new account.
2) Pacifies angry, malicious users who might escalate their bad behavior when instantly banned.
I haven't seen HN use shadowbanning to censor anyone. The people who are shadowbanned all seem to post unhinged, profane, off-topic, content-free rants.
Personally, I think it makes the community better. If you find it slimy and cowardly, perhaps you should vote with your feet and visit other communities instead. There are millions of other message boards.
1) Increases the time it takes trolls to realize they need to create a new account.
2) Pacifies angry, malicious users who might escalate their bad behavior when instantly banned.
I haven't seen HN use shadowbanning to censor anyone. The people who are shadowbanned all seem to post unhinged, profane, off-topic, content-free rants.
Personally, I think it makes the community better. If you find it slimy and cowardly, perhaps you should vote with your feet and visit other communities instead. There are millions of other message boards.