Another approach is to prevent these - which is how pg seems to describe his role at HN these days, at least for (3) gaming the system - leaving the field clear for the good stories. The flag link often takes care of (2) link-bait (though most people complain rather than click it). Well-known (3) author/domain probably isn't too bad, if the brand is justified, and even seems to be countered at times, eg. Seth Godin doesn't come up much anymore.
The big problem I see is industry gossip, within which I include: the crunchpad drama; iPhone/iPad dramas; Zuckerman's integrity; Bill Gates' integrity; Steve Jobs' integrity; Larry Ellison's integrity; today's psychoanalysis of one of our own members; even the Ring of Dark Angels/AngelGate.
Now, industry gossip is relevant to people in the industry. But it's not Hacker News (at least, not according to the guidelines.)
If there is a clear perception of what HN is, and enough people resolve to flag stories that don't fit that perception, then this problem goes away. We deserve the HN we get.
The big problem I see is industry gossip, within which I include: the crunchpad drama; iPhone/iPad dramas; Zuckerman's integrity; Bill Gates' integrity; Steve Jobs' integrity; Larry Ellison's integrity; today's psychoanalysis of one of our own members; even the Ring of Dark Angels/AngelGate. Now, industry gossip is relevant to people in the industry. But it's not Hacker News (at least, not according to the guidelines.)
If there is a clear perception of what HN is, and enough people resolve to flag stories that don't fit that perception, then this problem goes away. We deserve the HN we get.