You can say the opposite as well though. On forums, as you say, “there's an implicit assertion that this thing I'm posting should be interesting to that communi

You can say the opposite as well though. On forums, as you say, “there's an implicit assertion that this thing I'm posting should be interesting to that community,” which is less self-centered. I certainly know that I only post stuff on HN that others would find interesting as well. Compare this to Twitter or a blog where, also as you say, you just say whatever comes into your head which is decidedly more self centered and encourages more navel gazing because rather than take part in a larger conversation you have this digital “space” that’s all yours. I certainly think that encourages a narcissistic self-fascination and preoccupation where you are more sheltered from diverse opinions.