Let the trollers post whatever they want, anonymously. But each HN reader can have their own ignore list, and eventually no one will even read the troll's comments. He can troll to his heart's content, but he will be ignored. The problem with downvoting is that the troll gets the pleasure of knowing he pissed off X number of people.
With an ignore list, it's passive, and the troll gets no feedback. A growing number of people will stop reading his posts, and when the troll gets no more responses, he'll leave. He can change pseudonyms, but the same effect will occur, and he'll get bored. It's pretty much as simple as that. It's the equivalent to the NYC subway system painting over graffiti as soon as it's painted. After a while, the vandals get frustrated, and they stop doing it.
Let the trollers post whatever they want, anonymously. But each HN reader can have their own ignore list, and eventually no one will even read the troll's comments. He can troll to his heart's content, but he will be ignored. The problem with downvoting is that the troll gets the pleasure of knowing he pissed off X number of people.
With an ignore list, it's passive, and the troll gets no feedback. A growing number of people will stop reading his posts, and when the troll gets no more responses, he'll leave. He can change pseudonyms, but the same effect will occur, and he'll get bored. It's pretty much as simple as that. It's the equivalent to the NYC subway system painting over graffiti as soon as it's painted. After a while, the vandals get frustrated, and they stop doing it.