This would probably be better with links to examples, because I have no idea what are you writing about.

Here is how my memory recalls it; I am not insisting that this is correct, just showing how I perceive it completely differently:

Phase 1 -- no talking about politics (EY is obviously libertarian-ish, but he wants to avoid the object level of politics)

Phase 2 -- different people bring their favorite topics here, including PUAs, HBD, feminists, neoreaction... there are lively debates first, people enthusiastically argue for their sides... then Eugine starts mass-downvoting everyone who disagrees with him, which turns the debates sour because now every political debate quickly turns into a meta-debate about downvoting...

Phase 3 -- people mostly avoid debating politics again... once in a while someone makes a "hey, let's talk about politics here" thread, but except for neoreactionaries no one bothers to argue anymore...

Phase 4 -- no talking about politics

EDIT: After reading other threads, I guess you had this in mind.