'This is basically a bastion for the "always-on, up-or-out culture" you're weary of'. True, but HN also is frequented by people simply interested in tech, and interested to see comments from silicon valley and elsewhere they're building "disruptive" tech right now. And some from academia. Some people may feel addicted to challenging Elon-Musk-school-of-work-ethic type comments. Personally I feel drawn to respond to people that seem unhappy with their lot, often from comparing themselves to the always on up-or-out crowd. Getting a friendly response from people that "don't buy into that s**" might hopefully help them.