In general the tech community has gotten a lot softer (online and IRL) over time as the field has become more professional and mainstream. In my experience the stereotypical tech jerk with open contempt for everyone - see for example Nick Burns &#x27;your company&#x27;s computer guy&#x27; from late 90s SNL - has been replaced by a friendlier, more diplomatic (but perhaps just as cocky) sort.<p>My experience when I first joined HN (2009) was truly terrible, it left a sour taste in my mouth for a couple of years. If HN were still like that I definitely wouldn&#x27;t be here. And if my coworkers all behaved like that, I&#x27;d probably be in a different field entirely.