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This is what I like about HN. This isn't a particularly "hacker" story, but the perspective here is unique. On the main stream media, I'll get a couple of stat
by CWuestefeld 16y ago
This is what I like about HN. This isn't a particularly "hacker" story, but the perspective here is unique.
On the main stream media, I'll get a couple of statistics and video, then an empty comment about "loved ones trying to make sense of this senseless tragedy".
On HN, I get the facts, but both broader and deeper, from the geological nature of the quake to the effect on other locales. And I get real, unfiltered perspective from those involved -- without the bogus posturing for the human interest feel.
- Florin_Andrei 16y agoNow imagine a neurotypical person reading this comment. What do you think they'd say?
- TimothyBurgess 16y agoYou know, I'm really not sure what they'd say Florin. What do you think they'd say?
- Florin_Andrei 16y agoUh... are you asking me to... hm... exercise my... um... empathy?
- bioh42_2 16y agoAn individual neuro typical person might show a slightly higher curiosity about what I cynically call the "disaster/tragedy porn" of the coverage. On average however disaster porn is the lowest common denominator. Do not paint all individuals with the brush created by looking at the average. Just because the big networks seek the maximum number of viewers does not mean every viewer particularly strongly prefers that kind of coverage.
- Semiapies 16y agoI'm neurotypical, and I thought that comment was just fine. I don't know why you brought that up, though.
- petercooper 16y agoWhat's funny is that I was around just after the quake was reported and thought.. "Ooh, no-one's posted it to HN! I should post it." Then I thought "Nah, it's just world news. HN won't care directly about a quake." Then minutes later, this got submitted anyway.
- jarin 16y agoI know, it's totally shocking that hackers care about something other than money or code.
- petercooper 16y agoHaha, but that's not exactly the point. I hesitated about posting the earthquake news much like I'd hesitate posting about, say, the discovery of a new planet. It would likely be of interest to hackers but it's not really in the gamut of Hacker News submissions.
- flyt 16y agoI thought the same thing, and then I posted :D