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HN comments have a tendency to obsess about almost irrelevant details. Exact, precise dictionary definitions of words clearly being used in context to mean some

HN comments have a tendency to obsess about almost irrelevant details. Exact, precise dictionary definitions of words clearly being used in context to mean something not exact matching the dictionary. Arguments over whether passing a pointer counts as pass by value or pass by reference. Taking metaphors and going off on numerical tangents that don't add anything to the meaning or discussion. HN comments suffer from these and more.

mcherm 9y ago
Do you consider the difference between a mosquito and a goose to be "almost irrelevant"?
- toyg 9y ago
  LOL - in a metaphorical / rhetorical contest, yes, the difference is irrelevant. What matters is the sense of overwhelming difference between the elephant and <insert most common animals or insects>.
- rimliu 9y ago
  In this context — absolutely. Alas, the worrying trend I see more and more lately that people start to have trouble seeing context of anything. Sometimes it can be amusing, sometimes it looks dangerous.
- EliRivers 9y ago
  Let's take a look here. The message being communicated was "google is much much larger than duckduckgo". Metaphor used carried that information. Communication achieved. What's this about a goose and a mosquito? What's that adding to the communication? Seems pretty irrelevant.
  - wtetzner 9y ago
    I think it adds a lot. Comparing an elephant and a mosquito makes it seem like the mosquito is almost non-existent. A goose compared to an elephant is much more significant. A goose can stand up to an elephant. [1] [1] https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CURzgw60bFY https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CURzgw60bFY
    - EliRivers 9y ago
      Google compared to DDK is like an elephant fighting a goose? That is not remotely the original meaning. The original meaning was nothing more than google being much bigger than DDG. You're vanishing into the very same HN comment mental masturbation that was mentioned.

mcherm 9y ago

Do you consider the difference between a mosquito and a goose to be "almost irrelevant"?

toyg 9y ago
LOL - in a metaphorical / rhetorical contest, yes, the difference is irrelevant. What matters is the sense of overwhelming difference between the elephant and <insert most common animals or insects>.
rimliu 9y ago
In this context — absolutely. Alas, the worrying trend I see more and more lately that people start to have trouble seeing context of anything. Sometimes it can be amusing, sometimes it looks dangerous.
EliRivers 9y ago
Let's take a look here. The message being communicated was "google is much much larger than duckduckgo". Metaphor used carried that information. Communication achieved. What's this about a goose and a mosquito? What's that adding to the communication? Seems pretty irrelevant.
- wtetzner 9y ago
  I think it adds a lot. Comparing an elephant and a mosquito makes it seem like the mosquito is almost non-existent. A goose compared to an elephant is much more significant. A goose can stand up to an elephant. [1] [1] https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CURzgw60bFY https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CURzgw60bFY
  - EliRivers 9y ago
    Google compared to DDK is like an elephant fighting a goose? That is not remotely the original meaning. The original meaning was nothing more than google being much bigger than DDG. You're vanishing into the very same HN comment mental masturbation that was mentioned.