4 ms·

Then you're not spending enough time reading the comments on controversial stories. Disagreement is alive and well on HN.

ep103 2y ago
[flagged]
- dang 2y ago
  We don't delete posts unless their authors ask us to. The most that happens to a user-flagged or otherwise moderated post is that it does into the [dead] state, and [dead[ posts aren't deleted. They remain visible to anyone with 'showdead' turned on in their profile. If anyone wants more, here's a longer explanation from the other day: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43538728 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43538728.
  - realityfactchex 2y ago
    > The most that happens to a user-flagged or otherwise moderated post is that it does into the [dead] state...They remain visible to anyone with 'showdead' turned on in their profile. And that is a huge reason why HN's flagging/moderation is rather good! Thanks for the good system.
xboxnolifes 2y ago
I disagree. People will frequently say that downvoting is not for disagreeing, but in every controversial thread dissenting opinions are quickly downvoted and frequently flagged. Some recover, but many die or end up pushed down into obscurity. Mildly controversial opinions sometimes survive and get discussion, but anything past that rarely get a reply and just get downvoted and flagged into oblivion. This isn't exactly a slight against HN, as this happens basically everywhere past a tiny userbase community. But I don't think it's particularly right to put HN on a pedestal for its ability to handle controversy.
- lordfrito 2y ago
  >> Disagreement is alive and well on HN. > I disagree. Head explodes
  - xboxnolifes 2y ago
    I had a whole paragraph that I removed that was to preempt this reply, but I thought it wasn't needed.
- infecto 2y ago
  I would also argue that shutting certain posts down early is what helps it thrive. Maybe you lose some value of topic but you gain the ability to discuss other things in depth. You also prevent pollution of discourse.
- Suppafly 2y ago
  > People will frequently say that downvoting is not for disagreeing Those people are wrong.
  - Sohcahtoa82 2y ago
    Downvoting pushes peoples comments down and greys them out, effectively silencing them. It creates echo chambers. I reserve my downvotes for when arguments are made in bad faith, rely on logical fallacies, or present know-false information as an argument. If someone presents an argument on something I disagree with, but it's made in good faith and is well-structured, it deserves an upvote, even if I still disagree afterwards.
    - otterley 2y ago
      Your very comment is now downvoted but not silenced. We all see it, as we do every grey comment, as long as one works their way down the comments page. Not every comment is going to be agreed with and rise above the fold, and that’s ok.
      - 2y ago

ep103 2y ago

[flagged]

dang 2y ago
We don't delete posts unless their authors ask us to. The most that happens to a user-flagged or otherwise moderated post is that it does into the [dead] state, and [dead[ posts aren't deleted. They remain visible to anyone with 'showdead' turned on in their profile. If anyone wants more, here's a longer explanation from the other day: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43538728 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43538728.
- realityfactchex 2y ago
  > The most that happens to a user-flagged or otherwise moderated post is that it does into the [dead] state...They remain visible to anyone with 'showdead' turned on in their profile. And that is a huge reason why HN's flagging/moderation is rather good! Thanks for the good system.

xboxnolifes 2y ago

I disagree. People will frequently say that downvoting is not for disagreeing, but in every controversial thread dissenting opinions are quickly downvoted and frequently flagged. Some recover, but many die or end up pushed down into obscurity. Mildly controversial opinions sometimes survive and get discussion, but anything past that rarely get a reply and just get downvoted and flagged into oblivion. This isn't exactly a slight against HN, as this happens basically everywhere past a tiny userbase community. But I don't think it's particularly right to put HN on a pedestal for its ability to handle controversy.

lordfrito 2y ago
>> Disagreement is alive and well on HN. > I disagree. Head explodes
- xboxnolifes 2y ago
  I had a whole paragraph that I removed that was to preempt this reply, but I thought it wasn't needed.
infecto 2y ago
I would also argue that shutting certain posts down early is what helps it thrive. Maybe you lose some value of topic but you gain the ability to discuss other things in depth. You also prevent pollution of discourse.
Suppafly 2y ago
> People will frequently say that downvoting is not for disagreeing Those people are wrong.
- Sohcahtoa82 2y ago
  Downvoting pushes peoples comments down and greys them out, effectively silencing them. It creates echo chambers. I reserve my downvotes for when arguments are made in bad faith, rely on logical fallacies, or present know-false information as an argument. If someone presents an argument on something I disagree with, but it's made in good faith and is well-structured, it deserves an upvote, even if I still disagree afterwards.
  - otterley 2y ago
    Your very comment is now downvoted but not silenced. We all see it, as we do every grey comment, as long as one works their way down the comments page. Not every comment is going to be agreed with and rise above the fold, and that’s ok.
    - 2y ago