Because the threads are, in the parlance of our times, embarrassing shitshows. It was clear to me that they needed to be torched off the site as soon as we got to the comment about the hetero guy in the gay bar.
That is what the flag button is for. To scorch the shit off the site. More people need to use it. These threads are horrible and they need to go.
I both agree and disagree. The threads are utter shitshows (and yes, the hetero guy in a gay bar comment was the lowest point in a very low thread) but at the same time I think that flagging the content off the site means that a lot of people are never aware of the (excuse me if this sounds dramatic) true nature of many in Hacker News.
I suppose I think of it as painting over the cracks in the community here. I'd prefer everyone sees the shitshow for what it is, and then maybe has a think about what HN is, or should be.
This site would be better if we could get over the idea that all issues related to technology demand comprehensive litigation in comment threads. Sometimes issues that are relevant to us can't be resolved in comment threads. And then all those comment threads do is degrade the community.
What if leaving the embarassing shit shows hanging around is necessary to show people the extent of the problem?
In much the same way that sometimes in a parent's life they need to stop doing the laundry and let their teenager head out to town with smelly, mouldy, crusty garments until the teenager learns that dirty clothes are horrible and that perhaps it might be worth helping parents with housework without the need for bribes.
That is what the flag button is for. To scorch the shit off the site. More people need to use it. These threads are horrible and they need to go.