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"When a site gets large enough, "culture" doesn't work any more. There are too few "trainers," and newbies don't wait to learn. Hence anything not enforced by t
by SamAtt 17y ago
"When a site gets large enough, "culture" doesn't work any more. There are too few "trainers," and newbies don't wait to learn. Hence anything not enforced by the software pretty much doesn't work."
I don't think that's inevitable. As the about page says HN is a forum that's primary purpose (other than discussion) is to actively resist the normal degradation a community goes through.
One good way to do that, IMHO, is for the people of the HN community to actively read down-modded comments and up vote those that are polite and honest expressions of opinion.
- Semiapies 17y agoYes, as well as to down-vote high-rated comments that are overstated, facile, or pat.
- RiderOfGiraffes 17y agoWith respect, I think you're wrong. I believe that active work by the regulars can slow down the problem, but that will only ensure that the site remains popular, continues to grow, and eventually the newbies won't get enculturated. I believe that technical means must be used to ensure that the enculturation works. I do not believe the current level of technical means suffice. But I do speak largely from ignorance of the exact nature of this site's features. I've only been here 410 days (or so), but my experience of other sites suggest that the degradation is currently in progress, and needs to be resisted with technical as well as cultural means. I agree that active up- and down-modding is essential, but newbies without sufficient knowledge of how the site is supposed to work are more numerous and have nearly equal rights. More needs to be done. Personal opinions only, of course. I'd be pleased to discover I'm wrong.
- deleted 17y ago[deleted]