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Can you add sarcasm next to snark in the guidelines? I’ve never seen sarcasm improve a conversation and it inflames passions unnecessarily. Thanks for consideri

• dang 7y ago
  How would you define the difference?
  • DenisM 7y ago
    It’s not to signify a difference, but to expand coverage. I wouldn’t want to argue with someone saying “I was sarcastic, but not snarky”. There are many comments ending with /s to signify sarcasm or even /sarcasm or such. It’s easier to point out a transgression when the user has agreed in his mind or his words that he was in fact being sarcastic.
    • dang 7y ago
      I think we'd just reply that they're close enough to count as the same thing for HN purposes. "Don't be snarky" is nice and short.
      • DenisM 7y ago
        It’s not so much for you as it is for me. I often quote the rules, this would make it easier for me.
        • dang 7y ago
          Ah I see. If it comes up, you can point to this subthread, or you can always ping us at hn@ycombinator.com. Thanks for quoting the rules and helping to preserve this place!
  • lonelappde 7y ago
    Sarcasm is writing the opposite of what you mean. It doesn't work in short form text (similar to Poe's Law) but people do it anyway because it works in their internal monologue that has vocal intonation. Even when it works, it's an obnoxious outburst and intellectually devoid of value. Snark is general obnoxiousness that adds no intellectual value.