> I don't want to read news for feelgood vibes.

Yes, as algorithmic engagement has proven, most people want to read the news to get angry about stuff.

But I don't like hanging around that. I'd rather talk about tech news with nerds (old HN) and not just talk about coastal filter-bubble US politics with big tech worker bees (new HN).

US politics has definitely captured the crowd here lately. Half of the comment threads somehow devolve from discussions of Javascript frameworks into hysterical left-populist struggle sessions over the perceived political injustice of the day.

Maybe some feel good vibes and some apolitical news for the day aren't a bad thing.

Sometimes the commenters actually have genuine insights that must reports/articles will never mention. Sadly, I'm quite a cynical person that expects everything to have a spin unless it comes from an authoritative source.

In general, I'd say it's about confirmation bias and having a fluffy statement that confirms preconceived notions is hardly interesting to me. If there is anything of substance that contradicts any narrative or general consensus than I find the signal in the noise highly valuable.

But I can't speak for the general case because I don't use any social media and find rage bate quite cumbersome.