> I concluded that the story with more comments eventually stays on the first page longer, making the topic more interesting and influential. I always duck whe

> I concluded that the story with more comments eventually stays on the first page longer, making the topic more interesting and influential. I always duck when I parse words on HN but...that doesn't describe interesting and influential. That's the text book definition of popularity. It worth mentioning that the voting system creates a bias. "I up voted the story, it must me good. Now that I know that it's good I'm inclined to comment." Or vice versa. That is, those two signals (i.e., post up votes and post comments) aren't as independent as they appear. We all know there's a "sweet spot" on HN, as as there is in any community. That's not a bad thing. Humans are human. HN humans are just as predictable as any other. Don't get me wrong, interesting premise. But there are some caveats worth keeping in mind.