3 ms·

Yes, I also usually only read the comments. Only if I'm convinced (by the discussion) that the link is worthwhile, will I click on it.

hodgesmr 12y ago
To me this reads "I can't make up my own opinion, I need others to influence my judgement and opinions."
- pjc50 12y ago
  The comments thread is physically easier to read (no ads, banners, interference with scroll, carousels, clickbait sidebar) and gets to the point much quicker. And if people are rehashing a tired argument in the comments then I can skip the topic entirely. The linked article itself is also allowing others to influence your judgement and opinion, especially if it's a news article.
- icebraining 12y ago
  Every link on this site is only here because others have submitted and upvoted them, so everyone here is being influenced. That's the whole point of the site - having a community choose what's worth reading.
- jstelly 12y ago
  Or maybe it's that comments: a) load fast b) are always text c) don't include ads or videos d) are somewhat uniformly formatted and relatively easy to parse e) often include enough of a summary to make a quick decision about a link There are usually lots of valuable features contained in comments that are quick/easy to use.
- realitygrill 12y ago
  I could see that perspective, but I prefer to exercise my judgment on the comments. It's a compromise for time and also a small measure against tab-explosions.
- dpcan 12y ago
  I think one could argue that the majority of the "articles" or "posts" on HN are merely the opinions of their authors anyway. There are a few based in fact, or purely fact, or real "News", but a lot of times, they are just asides, or general ramblings of another person on the net - then there are the comments here that add real value to the piece.
  - hodgesmr 12y ago
    The point that I was trying to make is that it's much easier to be influenced by a swarm of commenters and to unknowingly align your opinions with them. You're more likely to disagree genuinely with ONE article than with 150 comments all echoing each other. Alas, downvote me, please.

hodgesmr 12y ago

To me this reads "I can't make up my own opinion, I need others to influence my judgement and opinions."

pjc50 12y ago
The comments thread is physically easier to read (no ads, banners, interference with scroll, carousels, clickbait sidebar) and gets to the point much quicker. And if people are rehashing a tired argument in the comments then I can skip the topic entirely. The linked article itself is also allowing others to influence your judgement and opinion, especially if it's a news article.
icebraining 12y ago
Every link on this site is only here because others have submitted and upvoted them, so everyone here is being influenced. That's the whole point of the site - having a community choose what's worth reading.
jstelly 12y ago
Or maybe it's that comments: a) load fast b) are always text c) don't include ads or videos d) are somewhat uniformly formatted and relatively easy to parse e) often include enough of a summary to make a quick decision about a link There are usually lots of valuable features contained in comments that are quick/easy to use.
realitygrill 12y ago
I could see that perspective, but I prefer to exercise my judgment on the comments. It's a compromise for time and also a small measure against tab-explosions.
dpcan 12y ago
I think one could argue that the majority of the "articles" or "posts" on HN are merely the opinions of their authors anyway. There are a few based in fact, or purely fact, or real "News", but a lot of times, they are just asides, or general ramblings of another person on the net - then there are the comments here that add real value to the piece.
- hodgesmr 12y ago
  The point that I was trying to make is that it's much easier to be influenced by a swarm of commenters and to unknowingly align your opinions with them. You're more likely to disagree genuinely with ONE article than with 150 comments all echoing each other. Alas, downvote me, please.