2 ms·
It's worth distinguishing immediate from indirect benefits. The purpose of the karma system is to encourage better posts and comments. To do this, users need t
by gjm11 15y ago
It's worth distinguishing immediate from indirect benefits.
The purpose of the karma system is to encourage better posts and comments. To do this, users need to be able to see and, preferably, feel the link between karma and post and comment quality. Their ability to do this is impaired if the link is subject to delay and confusion.
Of course this is only true in so far as users are being guided by the "average karma" figure. But if they aren't, then either it shouldn't be there or the principle you're appealing to is incorrect.
Just out of curiosity, do you think that the black bar displayed at the top of HN pages when certain people die results in better posts or comments? Or would you consider the possibility that, important as those things are, they aren't all PG cares about? I think they aren't; I think he probably cares to some extent about how pleasant HN is to use.
- brudgers 15y agoOf course, I'm probably as much of a karma whore as the next guy...but I take my karma average with more salt than the score of individual posts because it offers less direct editorial feedback. The link between numeric score and quality of post is tenuous. Good comments in low interest threads may still wind up as one point, and well timed snark can score in the double digits (though less likely now that scores are hidden). The difference I see between the average karma mechanics and the black band is that while the former is of individual concern, the latter fosters a sense of community.