I have noticed the same, but when I have mentioned this in the past I have been downvoted and told that I am being "conspiratorial". This is definitely a problem on Hacker News, because it is a website beholden to a company (YCombinator). This company has a vested interest in ensuring that the messages on Hacker News reflect what the popular narrative is as it reflects upon them personally. In other words as long as large companies control the medium the messages will be controlled by said company. There is only the illusion of free speech on the Internet. You can say whatever you want, but don't be surprised if nobody can hear you.
