4 ms·
To test that hypothesis, we can also try to estimate the size of the vocabulary of the users based on their comments. Vocabulary size is probably roughly correl
by finite_jest 5y ago
To test that hypothesis, we can also try to estimate the size of the vocabulary of the users based on their comments. Vocabulary size is probably roughly correlated with intelligence. It is kinda biased against users who don't live in the Anglosphere though.
- sanmon3186 5y agoThough you acknowledged the bias against non native English speakers, I feel that’s a huge bias. I for one can write two pages comment on Reddit without thinking, but I never dare to so on HN. I feel the pressure to be succinct on HN and being a non-English, that’s not easy. And it’s not (primarily) because of vocabulary.
- finite_jest 5y agoAs a non-native English speaker myself, I totally understand and sympathize.
- caskstrength 5y ago> Vocabulary size is probably roughly correlated with intelligence. Is it? AFAIK it is correlated with reading books and here in Eastern Europe lots of people who are "smart" at sciences have ostentatious disdain towards literature.
- drenvuk 5y agoThe reason I chose to measure curse words rather than vocabulary size is that I believed that people with an adequately sized vocabulary would be able to accurately utilize words rather than relying on curse words which are more flexible. To me, curse words seem like easy placeholders for feelings that the speaker or writer isn't willing to take the time to describe. Testing vocabulary size is similar but penalizes people with a limited but accurate vocabulary, regardless of whether they use curse words as a crutch. But again, assumptions and flaws, etc, etc.
- finite_jest 5y agoYou do have a point. But one could certainly also argue that "Impropriety is the soul of wit." :-)