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So it's more than just a number on a web site... it's the ability to influence other numbers on that web site!

codexon 17y ago
That would only be true if karma doesn't effect the visibility of your comment compared to the opposition. It's an issue of freedom of speech, and unfortunately, isn't just another "number".
- noonespecial 17y ago
  Referring to those with whom one should be having a discussion as opposition is one of the foremost reasons that we need karma to effect visibility in the first place. "Freedom of speech" is not a guarantee that you can post some a comment on some web forum and have it be seen, its a guarantee that if you do, and it is, that your government won't punish you for it.
  - codexon 17y ago
    By that same reasoning, China has a guarantee that it won't punish you for badmouthing their government...as long as it's done in the privacy of your own home. I realize that freedom of speech in the US doesn't apply to private establishments, but I would expect HN to hold a higher standard than say a conservative Christian forum. And keep in mind that one of PG's goals is to reduce the herd mentality.
    - argv_empty 17y ago
      By that same reasoning, China has a guarantee that it won't punish you for badmouthing their government...as long as it's done in the privacy of your own home. America's free speech is a guarantee of nonpunishment _regardless_of_forum_.
      - codexon 17y ago
        That is incorrect. You are not allowed to cry fire in a theater nor are you allowed to say you will assassinate a public figure.
        argv_empty 17y ago
        I'm not sure what you're getting at here.
        codexon 17y ago
        What I'm getting at here is that you are trying to be pedantic know-it-all, yet you fail to know the details of free speech which you claim to be so knowledgeable about. Just because I named 2 dubious uses of free speech, "slander" and "assasination", doesn't mean that the laws can't be twisted to clamp down on more legitimate issues: such as revealing corruption in the government which can be construed as libel in the US. Overall, I am disappointed in the attitude of HN readers like you who take freedom of speech lightly.

That would only be true if karma doesn't effect the visibility of your comment compared to the opposition. It's an issue of freedom of speech, and unfortunately, isn't just another "number".

noonespecial 17y ago
Referring to those with whom one should be having a discussion as opposition is one of the foremost reasons that we need karma to effect visibility in the first place. "Freedom of speech" is not a guarantee that you can post some a comment on some web forum and have it be seen, its a guarantee that if you do, and it is, that your government won't punish you for it.
- codexon 17y ago
  By that same reasoning, China has a guarantee that it won't punish you for badmouthing their government...as long as it's done in the privacy of your own home. I realize that freedom of speech in the US doesn't apply to private establishments, but I would expect HN to hold a higher standard than say a conservative Christian forum. And keep in mind that one of PG's goals is to reduce the herd mentality.
  - argv_empty 17y ago
    By that same reasoning, China has a guarantee that it won't punish you for badmouthing their government...as long as it's done in the privacy of your own home. America's free speech is a guarantee of nonpunishment _regardless_of_forum_.
    - codexon 17y ago
      That is incorrect. You are not allowed to cry fire in a theater nor are you allowed to say you will assassinate a public figure.
      - argv_empty 17y ago
        I'm not sure what you're getting at here.
        codexon 17y ago
        What I'm getting at here is that you are trying to be pedantic know-it-all, yet you fail to know the details of free speech which you claim to be so knowledgeable about. Just because I named 2 dubious uses of free speech, "slander" and "assasination", doesn't mean that the laws can't be twisted to clamp down on more legitimate issues: such as revealing corruption in the government which can be construed as libel in the US. Overall, I am disappointed in the attitude of HN readers like you who take freedom of speech lightly.