There's a hundred threads that have made me think this - but may I take a post to thank both PG and all the members of this site for successfully creating the environment we have here at HN. We very rarely have arguments that are not handled rationally and maturely. As that article states - that is a very difficult feat, and one of great value.
A voting system is extremely effective in preventing trolling here but only because PG put time into instilling the principles he wanted in the community through constant repetition, like training a dog. That required a lot of time on his part initially. Now imagine multiplying that by, say, 30 small sites that you are administering. So, I think it's not that the problem has been solved. PG may need to step in from time to time if the community 'forgets' the principles he started it with - such as when there is a big influx of new users.
