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For those of you who are questioning why this deserves to be here: obviously HN is predominantly tech/entrepreneur related, but don't be so fundamentalist about

For those of you who are questioning why this deserves to be here: obviously HN is predominantly tech/entrepreneur related, but don't be so fundamentalist about it. Ted Kennedy was a prolific senator who was one of the most influential members of the most powerful government in the world -- his death deserves discussion not just among those interested in politics but in other circles as well. HN has a great community where people value good analysis and feedback, why not occasionally apply those positive aspects to other topics as well?

unalone 17y ago
There's a value in asking whether something's Hacker News or not. In the end, we are the users, and we decide what we want to see. When we don't like what we see, however, there's no harm in discussing it, in the hope that like-minded people see it and are inspired.
- danielrhodes 17y ago
  That's what the voting buttons next to the story are for. If you discuss the article itself, then you should add value to the discussion. Complaining about the presence of the story itself when the community obviously voted it up to the top is not adding value, it's only adding negativity.
  - unalone 17y ago
    I would agree if there was a downvote option, so that people who don't like a story could have a say. As it is, a vocal-and-irritating minority can push stories to the top without anybody else being able to stop it. (I don't refer to this story when I say that, mind you. We all have our pet peeves.)
    - andreyf 17y ago
      A clever solution would be a downvote button that behaves the same as the "flag" link ;)
davidw 17y ago
> why not occasionally apply those positive aspects to other topics as well Because some of us believe strongly that "other topics" (well, specifically politics and lots of economics) don't mix well with the continued existence of the aforementioned positive aspects.
huherto 17y ago
It is interesting to me because it closes a chapter in American history as the last of the Kennedy brothers. Plus I have already learned a few things I didn't know.

unalone 17y ago

There's a value in asking whether something's Hacker News or not. In the end, we are the users, and we decide what we want to see. When we don't like what we see, however, there's no harm in discussing it, in the hope that like-minded people see it and are inspired.

danielrhodes 17y ago
That's what the voting buttons next to the story are for. If you discuss the article itself, then you should add value to the discussion. Complaining about the presence of the story itself when the community obviously voted it up to the top is not adding value, it's only adding negativity.
- unalone 17y ago
  I would agree if there was a downvote option, so that people who don't like a story could have a say. As it is, a vocal-and-irritating minority can push stories to the top without anybody else being able to stop it. (I don't refer to this story when I say that, mind you. We all have our pet peeves.)
  - andreyf 17y ago
    A clever solution would be a downvote button that behaves the same as the "flag" link ;)

davidw 17y ago

> why not occasionally apply those positive aspects to other topics as well Because some of us believe strongly that "other topics" (well, specifically politics and lots of economics) don't mix well with the continued existence of the aforementioned positive aspects.

huherto 17y ago

It is interesting to me because it closes a chapter in American history as the last of the Kennedy brothers. Plus I have already learned a few things I didn't know.