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I’m sure they do! The comments that bubble up (or get otherwise suppressed with votes) speak otherwise. But “centrists” in 2020 are far closer to right-leanin

I’m sure they do! The comments that bubble up (or get otherwise suppressed with votes) speak otherwise. But “centrists” in 2020 are far closer to right-leaning because of said Overton window. If you want to call center in 2020 a true center then sure, the site is drawing from the “whole range” equally. To the extent you acknowledge the impact of global cultural shifts and the deeper meaning of ‘left’ or ‘right’ then I would contend otherwise.

dang 6y ago
> The comments that bubble up (or get otherwise suppressed with votes) speak otherwise. I really don't think so. They speak more loudly to you because you're primed to hear them (https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&sort=byDate&type=comment&query=notice%20dislike%20by:dang https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&sor...). The opposite side is primed the opposite way and so it makes the opposite generalization. If you stop to think about what this means, it's pretty staggering. It means that we experience ourselves as being surrounded by enemies or, as I metaphorically sometimes put it, demons: https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=false&sort=byDate&type=comment&query=demons%20by:dang https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=false&so... This cognitive bias is one of the most powerful forces on the internet, including HN, and if there's one thing I've learned from years of moderation, it's "underestimate it at your peril".
- slumpt_ 6y ago
  I spent about six years in psychology with some graduate school so understand the biases you’re referring to. Generally awareness of them helps minimize their impact. Perhaps it is merely that we disagree on the matter (or where “center” lies, which is interesting in and of itself). And that’s fine. The political environment of grad school in social sciences, then hard sciences, industry in the more formal sciences and industry in software. Growing up around strong conservatives in rural areas. I’ve seen a decent sampling of perspectives. I do not fault HN for its (generalized) leanings. It’s just a feature of this specific community and I enjoy it for reasons unique to it. No indictment or whatever.

dang 6y ago

> The comments that bubble up (or get otherwise suppressed with votes) speak otherwise. I really don't think so. They speak more loudly to you because you're primed to hear them (https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&sort=byDate&type=comment&query=notice%20dislike%20by:dang https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&sor...). The opposite side is primed the opposite way and so it makes the opposite generalization. If you stop to think about what this means, it's pretty staggering. It means that we experience ourselves as being surrounded by enemies or, as I metaphorically sometimes put it, demons: https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=false&sort=byDate&type=comment&query=demons%20by:dang https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=false&so... This cognitive bias is one of the most powerful forces on the internet, including HN, and if there's one thing I've learned from years of moderation, it's "underestimate it at your peril".

slumpt_ 6y ago
I spent about six years in psychology with some graduate school so understand the biases you’re referring to. Generally awareness of them helps minimize their impact. Perhaps it is merely that we disagree on the matter (or where “center” lies, which is interesting in and of itself). And that’s fine. The political environment of grad school in social sciences, then hard sciences, industry in the more formal sciences and industry in software. Growing up around strong conservatives in rural areas. I’ve seen a decent sampling of perspectives. I do not fault HN for its (generalized) leanings. It’s just a feature of this specific community and I enjoy it for reasons unique to it. No indictment or whatever.