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How does this story get 56 points and frontpage (as of this writing), yet when I submitted an article on computing with water droplets on superhydrophobic surfa

by csense 13y ago

How does this story get 56 points and frontpage (as of this writing), yet when I submitted an article on computing with water droplets on superhydrophobic surfaces [1], it didn't get any upvotes at all? Anyone have ideas for reducing the tendency of HN to sometimes ignore high-quality content? I shudder to think about how stressful being ignored must be for startups who try to launch their product or get feedback here... EDIT: Multiple downvotes? Does this mean that people are uncomfortable with the idea that HN may be less than perfect? Or is it merely because my comment's too far off-topic? [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4885419 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4885419

GuiA 13y ago
Don't take it personally dude. It's a human system, therefore an inherently flawed one.
- csense 13y ago
  I'm not taking it personally. I'm trying to ask all the clever people here to put their hacking hats on, and think up an analysis of this particular flaw, or ideas for technological ways to mitigate this problem. I am a little bitter about the situation, I suppose, and maybe this leaked into my comment. My intention was to set the tone of a matter between adult professionals: "Here's a problem I experienced. Let's try to solve it." Maybe I didn't entirely succeed in setting that tone.
  - hayksaakian 13y ago
    For the least common denominator of HN visitors a title like "programmable water" is more attractive than what you proposed.
  - frogpelt 13y ago
    This is a problem that won't be solved with an algorithm. Emotions dictate the actions of humans. It's hard to fix that problem. You sound like someone who checks your watch to figure out whether you're hungry or not.
patrickyeon 13y ago
Multiple downvotes are because your comment adds nothing to the conversation of this article, and most likely people are tired of hearing about somebody's submission not getting the love they think it deserves, and now you'll probably get even more for looking like you care about your score. And yes, I'm aware that I'm not contributing to the discussion about the article myself.
jgamman 13y ago
you post things because _you_ found them interesting, not so as to get upvotes. any upvotes gathered are purely incidental...
- LukeShu 13y ago
  I'd contend that while upvotes are purely incidental, comments and discussion are reasons to post something.
pfarrell 13y ago
I suggest you read this essay from pg [1]. Getting a link to HN front page is very similar to most things in life. Luck plays a big role. I recommend that essay and urge you to realize, your (and my) inputs to HN are like that 20th best player for the 20 person team. It is not important for HN to pick up (reward) every great link posted; it is only important that all links that make front page are quality. 1: http://www.paulgraham.com/judgement.html http://www.paulgraham.com/judgement.html

by csense 13y ago

GuiA 13y ago

Don't take it personally dude. It's a human system, therefore an inherently flawed one.

csense 13y ago
I'm not taking it personally. I'm trying to ask all the clever people here to put their hacking hats on, and think up an analysis of this particular flaw, or ideas for technological ways to mitigate this problem. I am a little bitter about the situation, I suppose, and maybe this leaked into my comment. My intention was to set the tone of a matter between adult professionals: "Here's a problem I experienced. Let's try to solve it." Maybe I didn't entirely succeed in setting that tone.
- hayksaakian 13y ago
  For the least common denominator of HN visitors a title like "programmable water" is more attractive than what you proposed.
- frogpelt 13y ago
  This is a problem that won't be solved with an algorithm. Emotions dictate the actions of humans. It's hard to fix that problem. You sound like someone who checks your watch to figure out whether you're hungry or not.

patrickyeon 13y ago

Multiple downvotes are because your comment adds nothing to the conversation of this article, and most likely people are tired of hearing about somebody's submission not getting the love they think it deserves, and now you'll probably get even more for looking like you care about your score. And yes, I'm aware that I'm not contributing to the discussion about the article myself.

jgamman 13y ago

you post things because _you_ found them interesting, not so as to get upvotes. any upvotes gathered are purely incidental...

LukeShu 13y ago
I'd contend that while upvotes are purely incidental, comments and discussion are reasons to post something.

pfarrell 13y ago

I suggest you read this essay from pg [1]. Getting a link to HN front page is very similar to most things in life. Luck plays a big role. I recommend that essay and urge you to realize, your (and my) inputs to HN are like that 20th best player for the 20 person team. It is not important for HN to pick up (reward) every great link posted; it is only important that all links that make front page are quality. 1: http://www.paulgraham.com/judgement.html http://www.paulgraham.com/judgement.html