5 ms·

You know what else is boring? Comments of the form "I don't understand something, and my ignorance should be compelling"

toomuchtodo 11y ago
To be fair, that's a non-insignificant amount of HN comments. People should come here with far more curiosity and far less arrogance than they do.
Touche 11y ago
I post comments like that to be educated. Some have already offered explanations, so I'm happy to get your downvote if it means learning something.
- toomuchtodo 11y ago
  Think about your question: "I don't understand why it exists as a popular sport anyways, it's 5 seconds of action followed by 30 seconds of two guys talking about it. The average football game has 11 minutes of action[1]. Everything but the last ~8 minutes of the 4th quarter is boring. Yet Americans love it. I don't get it." better framed as a question like such: "I'm not quite sure I understand the American fascination with football. Can someone provide context?"
  - knorby 11y ago
    Except he did provide context as he cited an article with a genuine criticism. Your suggestion is in all ways a loss of information.
- st3v3r 11y ago
  You did not. You posted that comment to make yourself look smugly superior to others.
  - samstave 11y ago
    Thats why I am awesome, because I don't ever make smug comments. You should upvote me for it.
- mikeash 11y ago
  There are better ways to get people to educate you than to be a condescending jerk and waiting for angry responses.
  - jessaustin 11y ago
    This might be related to Cunningham's Law?
    - mikeash 11y ago
      It's definitely a similar theme. I think the Law isn't quite right, though. Posting the wrong answer might be the easiest way to get the right answer, but I don't think it's the best, even from a purely selfish view. But maybe that's just me being idealistic.
      - pauloday 11y ago
        It's a good way to get the right answer but it's not a very good way to get help.
aolagers 11y ago
> The first layer is the literal meaning of the words: I lack the knowledge and understanding to figure this out. But the second, intended meaning is the opposite: I am such a superior moral being that I cannot even imagine the cognitive errors or moral turpitude that could lead someone to such obviously wrong conclusions. And yet, the third, true meaning is actually more like the first: I lack the empathy, moral imagination or analytical skills to attempt even a basic understanding of the people who disagree with me. http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-08-12/only-stupid-people-call-people-stupid http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-08-12/only-stupid...

toomuchtodo 11y ago

To be fair, that's a non-insignificant amount of HN comments. People should come here with far more curiosity and far less arrogance than they do.

Touche 11y ago

I post comments like that to be educated. Some have already offered explanations, so I'm happy to get your downvote if it means learning something.

toomuchtodo 11y ago
Think about your question: "I don't understand why it exists as a popular sport anyways, it's 5 seconds of action followed by 30 seconds of two guys talking about it. The average football game has 11 minutes of action[1]. Everything but the last ~8 minutes of the 4th quarter is boring. Yet Americans love it. I don't get it." better framed as a question like such: "I'm not quite sure I understand the American fascination with football. Can someone provide context?"
- knorby 11y ago
  Except he did provide context as he cited an article with a genuine criticism. Your suggestion is in all ways a loss of information.
st3v3r 11y ago
You did not. You posted that comment to make yourself look smugly superior to others.
- samstave 11y ago
  Thats why I am awesome, because I don't ever make smug comments. You should upvote me for it.
mikeash 11y ago
There are better ways to get people to educate you than to be a condescending jerk and waiting for angry responses.
- jessaustin 11y ago
  This might be related to Cunningham's Law?
  - mikeash 11y ago
    It's definitely a similar theme. I think the Law isn't quite right, though. Posting the wrong answer might be the easiest way to get the right answer, but I don't think it's the best, even from a purely selfish view. But maybe that's just me being idealistic.
    - pauloday 11y ago
      It's a good way to get the right answer but it's not a very good way to get help.

aolagers 11y ago

> The first layer is the literal meaning of the words: I lack the knowledge and understanding to figure this out. But the second, intended meaning is the opposite: I am such a superior moral being that I cannot even imagine the cognitive errors or moral turpitude that could lead someone to such obviously wrong conclusions. And yet, the third, true meaning is actually more like the first: I lack the empathy, moral imagination or analytical skills to attempt even a basic understanding of the people who disagree with me. http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-08-12/only-stupid-people-call-people-stupid http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-08-12/only-stupid...