I don't know whether to point out the article is arguing against that it's killing the earth or question if you even opened the link before responding. I thought hn was the one place the latter was avoided (and hey, why comment if you disapprove of the thread's popularity?).

I did read the article, but already knew the meme is stupid and wrong and thought the same of the HN readership, thus I'm surprised to see it in any form, pro or against.

And I comment when I disapprove of a thread because the flag and shut up mantra has never sat right with me. I prefer to explain why I dislike something.

If all you did was explain why you disapproved of things you'd be giving undo (reasonably) attention towards something you felt was stupid. Why waste the time when you're not obliged? That's all I'm curious about - you could find another topic more important and make that topic popular.

It's a (perhaps undo) attempt to purge non-HN type stories from HN. It's a kind of not very useful or productive hobby.