I had a conversation with someone who was religiously homophobic on HN recently.
Their mind probably wasn't changed, but having civil discourse about intolerance is important.
I'd much rather see a racist post with thoughtful dissent (which the OP can then read, and is pretty much guaranteed on HN) than for racists to just get excluded, and have no cause to change their mind.
They then go to a more extreme forum, with people who only agree with them. The hate gets amplified instead of dissuaded.
Their mind probably wasn't changed, but having civil discourse about intolerance is important.
I'd much rather see a racist post with thoughtful dissent (which the OP can then read, and is pretty much guaranteed on HN) than for racists to just get excluded, and have no cause to change their mind.
They then go to a more extreme forum, with people who only agree with them. The hate gets amplified instead of dissuaded.