4 ms·

I like the reason "This doesn't add to the conversation."

• jobu 12y ago
  Why downvote if it doesn't detract from the conversation? My rule of thumb is to upvote if the comment is insightful or has information I find useful. Downvote if it seems blatantly incorrect, mean, overly negative or is actively trying to make the conversation worse. Otherwise I just ignore it.
  • chc 12y ago
    Comments that add nothing to the conversation are noise, and noise necessarily harms the signal-to-noise ratio.
    • walterbell 12y ago
      What if such a comment was the only one? Is is better that the OP observe no votes and no comments, or a single comment saying "Thanks!"?
  • will_work4tears 12y ago
    Why do you feel that something that is incorrect (even blatantly) isn't useful? I have often observed a thread where somebody ignorantly spouts something and is taught appropriately. I've learned stuff from those and left with a net positive. The original poster might never admit to being wrong, or changing his world-view, but I certainly have many times.
    • chrisBob 12y ago
      I have had responses actually change my mind, and try to respond as such. I agree that you don't see it much though
    • jobu 12y ago
      In this case "blatantly incorrect" meant lies with a likely ulterior motive. Off the top of my head I can't think of any case where this has been an issue on HN, but I have seen it on other forums where marketers try to spin problems with their products.