The comments system here at HN reads more like a tree of information - these 'threads' are not conversations. It's the densest presentation of actual informatio

The comments system here at HN reads more like a tree of information - these 'threads' are not conversations. It's the densest presentation of actual information and thought I've seen anywhere, and long-time posters are rather devoted to keeping it that way. The long-and-short is that you shouldn't post a reply unless it contains new information that requires the context of the comment you're replying to. (New information that stands on its own probably should be a top-level comment.)