Ok. But where does one learn this strength, and subtlety?
This is an amazing idea.
For me it was as a waiter, and a taxi driver. Lots of people are assholes, but they're all people. You have to treat them with respect; but you have to be willing to ban them.
How do you teach such a thing?
Okay. Here's my great idea. Let's make a site where people can mod HN. Use an algorithm to coach them to be better moderators. Train them to learn patience.
How long do you think it would take to write that? How good do you think your trainees would be in the real world? Or would it just be better to have someone go live in the world for a long time?
If so... doesn't that mean it's a rarely acquired skill?