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> The post got linked by Hackernews and Reddit. As is usual the majority of comments did not talk about the actual content but instead were focused on two tange

> The post got linked by Hackernews and Reddit. As is usual the majority of comments did not talk about the actual content but instead were focused on two tangential things. Too true, and this is too good. Start with part 1 (and the comments) if you haven’t.

rzzzt 1y ago
If you want to read the referenced comments, here they are (probably -- I don't have a crystal ball, only access to a search engine): - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43468976 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43468976 - https://www.reddit.com/r/programming/comments/1jjluxe/writing_your_own_c_standard_library_from_scratch/ https://www.reddit.com/r/programming/comments/1jjluxe/writin...
ryandrake 1y ago
I wonder what it is about the HN audience or about the HN voting system that seems to always result in this. You see this in so many stories posted here: Out of a 1000 word article, someone nitpicks a single phrase, and 75% of the comments rathole on that discussion rather than talking about the article.
- account42 1y ago
  It's quite simple. These sites are frequented by humans how have their own interests and sometimes agendas rather than by automatons who only discuss what you personally want them to discuss. Hope that clears it up.
- steveklabnik 1y ago
  This is: 1. hilarious because it itself is an example of this behavior, we aren't discussing the article, but instead a tangent from a few words from it 2. an instance of Parkinson's Law of Triviality: it's just easier to respond to a comment than to read an entire article. Plus, many people read comments first to try and determine if an article is worth reading. So you end up with engagement in spinoff discussion, especially when the original is harder to read or understand to a general audience.
  - ryandrake 1y ago
    I actually thought about #1 as I typed it. I admit it's definitely hilarious and hypocritical.

rzzzt 1y ago

If you want to read the referenced comments, here they are (probably -- I don't have a crystal ball, only access to a search engine): - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43468976 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43468976 - https://www.reddit.com/r/programming/comments/1jjluxe/writing_your_own_c_standard_library_from_scratch/ https://www.reddit.com/r/programming/comments/1jjluxe/writin...

ryandrake 1y ago

I wonder what it is about the HN audience or about the HN voting system that seems to always result in this. You see this in so many stories posted here: Out of a 1000 word article, someone nitpicks a single phrase, and 75% of the comments rathole on that discussion rather than talking about the article.

account42 1y ago
It's quite simple. These sites are frequented by humans how have their own interests and sometimes agendas rather than by automatons who only discuss what you personally want them to discuss. Hope that clears it up.
steveklabnik 1y ago
This is: 1. hilarious because it itself is an example of this behavior, we aren't discussing the article, but instead a tangent from a few words from it 2. an instance of Parkinson's Law of Triviality: it's just easier to respond to a comment than to read an entire article. Plus, many people read comments first to try and determine if an article is worth reading. So you end up with engagement in spinoff discussion, especially when the original is harder to read or understand to a general audience.
- ryandrake 1y ago
  I actually thought about #1 as I typed it. I admit it's definitely hilarious and hypocritical.