I would be less concerned about HN'ers being able to decipher the intracies of the law around the US patent system than a jury of 12 random people...
That said, you are likely correct in one common misunderstanding. Too many people conflate,
1. the US patent system
2. patent law.
The latter could be working as well as could be expected in any part of the US legal system or indeed the world. This is difficult to tell without being a lawyer and many HN'ers, like ordinary people, do not grok it.
The US patent system itself, however, is an entirely different matter. The core aspects are far easier to understand and is routinely and increasingly derided, including by top members of many professions the world over as well as representatives of the US justice system. The latest cases have only furthered added to these views.
That said, you are likely correct in one common misunderstanding. Too many people conflate,
1. the US patent system
2. patent law.
The latter could be working as well as could be expected in any part of the US legal system or indeed the world. This is difficult to tell without being a lawyer and many HN'ers, like ordinary people, do not grok it.
The US patent system itself, however, is an entirely different matter. The core aspects are far easier to understand and is routinely and increasingly derided, including by top members of many professions the world over as well as representatives of the US justice system. The latest cases have only furthered added to these views.