4 ms·

The post by Wolfram is a great discussion of logic and the philosophy of mathematics throughout the 20th century. Yet the top comment on HN is a snark, tribal b

by ced 16y ago

The post by Wolfram is a great discussion of logic and the philosophy of mathematics throughout the 20th century. Yet the top comment on HN is a snark, tribal bashing of the author.

wwortiz 16y ago
These snarks appear because of Wolfram's writing style, he comes off as a kind of Steve Jobs who he himself is the product he is selling. Though at least this one is lighter than usual.
- ced 16y ago
  Though at least this one is lighter than usual. That's the whole point. If you read it without thinking "Wolfram wrote this therefore it will be self-centered", then it sounds perfectly fine. The GP's snark was merely appealing to people's confirmation bias. It's a high-level version of that high-school classic: "I'll pick on that kid to show I'm part of the group". Besides, it's depressingly ironic that a community producing a deluge of "How my startup achieved X in Y months" complains about this post being self-centered. Read it! It's a good essay!
  - stinkytaco 16y ago
    I, for one, feel its news when a raving egomaniac and lawsuit happy control freak like Wolfram doesn't sound like one. Indeed, I probably would not have read the article if someone hadn't pointed out he wasn't being an egomaniac. Your analogy works, except its Wolfram who does the bullying, not the other way around.
  - weavejester 16y ago
    I don't particularly object to Wolfram being self-centered. Nor is there anything wrong with advertising one's own achievements. But Wolfram seems incapable of talking about any subject without shoehorning in some reference to his own works. Even when expected, it's a jarring, unnecessary interruption; a wild swing from a reasonably interesting article on mathematical history to unabashed self-promotion. The snark wasn't intended as an offering to Hacker New group-think, but rather borne out of a genuine frustration at Wolfram's style of writing. I find it very difficult to read anything he says, because I'm continually awaiting that moment when he will pause, smile cheesily at the proverbial camera, and explain how amazing his products are.

by ced 16y ago

The post by Wolfram is a great discussion of logic and the philosophy of mathematics throughout the 20th century. Yet the top comment on HN is a snark, tribal bashing of the author.

wwortiz 16y ago

These snarks appear because of Wolfram's writing style, he comes off as a kind of Steve Jobs who he himself is the product he is selling. Though at least this one is lighter than usual.

ced 16y ago
Though at least this one is lighter than usual. That's the whole point. If you read it without thinking "Wolfram wrote this therefore it will be self-centered", then it sounds perfectly fine. The GP's snark was merely appealing to people's confirmation bias. It's a high-level version of that high-school classic: "I'll pick on that kid to show I'm part of the group". Besides, it's depressingly ironic that a community producing a deluge of "How my startup achieved X in Y months" complains about this post being self-centered. Read it! It's a good essay!
- stinkytaco 16y ago
  I, for one, feel its news when a raving egomaniac and lawsuit happy control freak like Wolfram doesn't sound like one. Indeed, I probably would not have read the article if someone hadn't pointed out he wasn't being an egomaniac. Your analogy works, except its Wolfram who does the bullying, not the other way around.
- weavejester 16y ago
  I don't particularly object to Wolfram being self-centered. Nor is there anything wrong with advertising one's own achievements. But Wolfram seems incapable of talking about any subject without shoehorning in some reference to his own works. Even when expected, it's a jarring, unnecessary interruption; a wild swing from a reasonably interesting article on mathematical history to unabashed self-promotion. The snark wasn't intended as an offering to Hacker New group-think, but rather borne out of a genuine frustration at Wolfram's style of writing. I find it very difficult to read anything he says, because I'm continually awaiting that moment when he will pause, smile cheesily at the proverbial camera, and explain how amazing his products are.