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I'm noticing that some of the comments are one-worded or just off-topic drivel. Either there should be a stringent culture of down-modding those comments or mod

I'm noticing that some of the comments are one-worded or just off-topic drivel. Either there should be a stringent culture of down-modding those comments or moderators should actively communicate with those users and discourage that behavior. It's better to set the bar a little high at the beginning than too low since the level of discourse will inevitably decrease as more people join.

mattmaroon 18y ago
In general, we'll moderate comments only for civility. They have up and down arrows, so I expect the community to take care of quality that way. That often seems to be the case here, where a comment will be buried under an avalanche of downvotes.
- palish 18y ago
  To an extent. I've seen comments on HN actively killed by the editors. (To see 'em, turn on "showdead".) So it's probably worth it to delete content that would repel the type of clientele you'd like to attract.
  - jrockway 18y ago
    Exactly. It's kind of annoying to see that omniscient overlords are censoring people's comments -- but the people being censored get the idea that their comments aren't welcome and then they either shape up or go away. HN has stayed pretty readable as the once-enjoyable Reddit has become the biggest cesspool of stupidity I've ever had the misfortune of reading. (Can you guess by my tone that I used to really love Reddit but it's just not good anymore? It makes me sad.)
- jrockway 18y ago
  I expect the community to take care of quality that way Have you seen Reddit? This doesn't work.
  - mattmaroon 18y ago
    Does Reddit moderate for civility? I was under the impression that they didn't moderate at all.