4 ms·

It isn't a request for a source. It is like saying 'if you want others to believe this thing you are claiming publicly, you need to back it up better than askin

• pavlov 13y ago
  What's the difference? To me, your formulation is just another somewhat passive-aggressive way of asking for a source.
  • Karunamon 13y ago
    Probably intent. The problem with uncited bold claims is that they can derail entire threads if not nipped in the bud immediately. I understand that HN is not a debate team, but I don't think it's asking all that much for people to cite sources on something that's likely to be controversial. It's a politeness thing, really. If you're making claims about something or other, link to WP, or Google, or somewhere out of consideration for your fellow reader. It doesn't take that much longer and significantly contributes to a discussion. Meanwhile, not doing it in this troll-filled place called the internet tends to make people wonder A, why you didn't bother, and B, what kind of fast one you're trying to pull. Debate is adversarial, after all. The [citation needed] is a quick and simple way to shift the onus back onto the OP where it belongs, and also serves to warn people who maybe didn't read the comment all too closely that shenanigans may be afoot. And often times that's all you get, because a distressingly high portion of people won't reply when challenged in this manner.