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I'd like to understand HN's ranking algorithm. At the top of the frontpage: - Mesh Spreadsheet - 66 points, 2 hours ago At the bottom of the frontpage: - In

• doubleunplussed 7y ago
  The algorithm supposedly penalises large numbers of comments rapidly being made. Ostensibly it's a "flamewar detection" mechanism, supposed to discourage threads full of arguing. Whilst this topic is potentially exactly that, I'm not sure how the algorithm prevents flagging false positives - sometimes there is going to be a massive thread for appropriate reasons. I would also like to be allowed to discuss this issue here without knowing the thread is buried, even though it is controversial.