Of course I understand all the good reasons you are giving, but I'd think you are taking it all too seriously. People sometimes post bad jokes on HN for the sa

Of course I understand all the good reasons you are giving, but I'd think you are taking it all too seriously. People sometimes post bad jokes on HN for the same reason they tell them in face -- feeling lonely, sometimes desperately lonely, maybe even feeling rejected, trying to be part of it, knowing the joke is not so great but trying anyway. And you know, if I can somehow help those people, even at risk of being biased in the wrong direction, I couldn't care less if HN becomes Shashdot. Every forum lives its life and then dies, and we all move on. But that's me, others are entitled to other opinions.