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Long time lurker here.I often feel I have nothing useful to contribute.So I don't. You're welcome.

deleted 7y ago
[deleted]
aexl 7y ago
I'm as well a long time lurker. Whenever I contribute something, I feel that it should be helpful for many other people out there. This comment probably isn't...
- drbacon 7y ago
  Ha! Well you made this lurker laugh, and reply! Also, it is not uncommon for me to write out a reply and then delete it before submitting because I second guess that the comment has value.
matheusmoreira 7y ago
Another reason why people avoid contributing: unwritten social rules. New members often step on people's toes and suffer the consequences. As a result, joining a new group can be intimidating. Better to lurk for a while and gain understanding of what is and isn't normal.
dredmorbius 7y ago
What I discovered, decades ago, was that posting questions, or even better, answers, even wrong ones (unintentionally) is a phenomenal way to learn things. That still holds true. Though it helps profoundly to not insist on being wrong. Which I try to do. Not always successfully.
- nickpsecurity 7y ago
  I mostly focus on finding people with the answers. One person here I invited to another place specifically because they asked exceptionally, good questions. Most of the time, their questions led to more good answers or just perspectives. I'd like to see more of that.
- abyssin 7y ago
  I once posted a honest question and I have to say I felt chilled by the downvotes. I'd have expected votes to reflect a more constructive attitude.
  - dredmorbius 7y ago
    I consider myself something of an HN contrarian. There are some downvotes, though on balance I've been better received than I'd expected. Sometimes researching on your own to indicate you've attempted clarification, helps. "Did you mean / are you referring to X? ..."
- kthejoker2 7y ago
  > the best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer https://meta.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Cunningham%27s_Law https://meta.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Cunningham%27s_Law

deleted 7y ago

[deleted]

aexl 7y ago

I'm as well a long time lurker. Whenever I contribute something, I feel that it should be helpful for many other people out there. This comment probably isn't...

drbacon 7y ago
Ha! Well you made this lurker laugh, and reply! Also, it is not uncommon for me to write out a reply and then delete it before submitting because I second guess that the comment has value.

matheusmoreira 7y ago

Another reason why people avoid contributing: unwritten social rules. New members often step on people's toes and suffer the consequences. As a result, joining a new group can be intimidating. Better to lurk for a while and gain understanding of what is and isn't normal.

dredmorbius 7y ago

What I discovered, decades ago, was that posting questions, or even better, answers, even wrong ones (unintentionally) is a phenomenal way to learn things. That still holds true. Though it helps profoundly to not insist on being wrong. Which I try to do. Not always successfully.

nickpsecurity 7y ago
I mostly focus on finding people with the answers. One person here I invited to another place specifically because they asked exceptionally, good questions. Most of the time, their questions led to more good answers or just perspectives. I'd like to see more of that.
abyssin 7y ago
I once posted a honest question and I have to say I felt chilled by the downvotes. I'd have expected votes to reflect a more constructive attitude.
- dredmorbius 7y ago
  I consider myself something of an HN contrarian. There are some downvotes, though on balance I've been better received than I'd expected. Sometimes researching on your own to indicate you've attempted clarification, helps. "Did you mean / are you referring to X? ..."
kthejoker2 7y ago
> the best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer https://meta.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Cunningham%27s_Law https://meta.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Cunningham%27s_Law