I think you're wrong on this one. I think the OP is on target and your joke is an example of its validity. I also think your posting of typical responses is y

I think you're wrong on this one. I think the OP is on target and your joke is an example of its validity. I also think your posting of typical responses is you establishing your position in the HN hierarchy. Since you can list all of those typical responses, obviously you have been here longer and since you've been here longer, you're the man dogg. You also belittle the OP calling it stupid. It's not stupid. It's the result of perhaps many years of research by people who are patient and observant. The article echoes the feeling many, including myself, have had when making a joke in front of a superior and gotten that stern look of someone who feels their power being subverted. "I want people to feel my wrath and you are cracking jokes..." It's a subtle show of disrespect of the social order. It's also poignant because we've probably all been in situations where we were compelled to laugh at a joke that wasn't funny to show our allegiance to the joke teller. This happens a lot when someone is making a joke at another's expense. If everyone laughs, then all is okay, the leader is still in charge. But if someone doesn't laugh, then everyone knows who is really on the side of right. Laughing at bad jokes shows loyalty and disregard for honesty at the gain of social credibility.