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The most important principle on HN, though, is to make thoughtful comments. Thoughtful in both senses: civil and substantial. The test for substance is a lot l
by ohjesusthatguy1 11y ago
The most important principle on HN, though, is to make thoughtful comments. Thoughtful in both senses: civil and substantial.
The test for substance is a lot like it is for links. Does your comment teach us anything? There are two ways to do that: by pointing out some consideration that hadn't previously been mentioned, and by giving more information about the topic, perhaps from personal experience. Whereas comments like "LOL!" or worse still, "That's retarded!" teach us nothing.
Empty comments can be ok if they're positive. There's nothing wrong with submitting a comment saying just "Thanks." What we especially discourage are comments that are empty and negative—comments that are mere name-calling.
Which brings us to the most important principle on HN: civility. Since long before the web, the anonymity of online conversation has lured people into being much ruder than they'd be in person. So the principle here is: don't say anything you wouldn't say face to face. This doesn't mean you can't disagree. But disagree without calling names. If you're right, your argument will be more convincing without them.
- melling 11y agoYou used the n word in a racist manner to play games on HN. I simply pointed out that this sort of behavior on HN fits a pattern. I'll leave it to others to figure out a "civil name" for it. I certainly didn't say anything that I wouldn't say in person, or wouldn't mind being reprinted a decades from now.
- ohjesusthatguy1 11y agoYou added nothing to a non-conversation. AFAIK, you could have reported my bad behavior and that would have been the end of it. I'm not even mad at you and your poor grammar; This thread has helped me test some things, so thank you.
- melling 11y agoInstead of reporting your bad behavior, I tried to explain it. You can't fix a problem without understanding it. You are the way you are for a reason, and you're probably not that different from other people who fit your profile. Shouldn't we try to understand hate, for instance? Making people social outcasts or deleting accounts for online bullying is not a great solution.
- kinghajj 11y agoWell he didn't really use it in a racist manner, as that's all his post contains; unless you're implying that any use of word is inherently racist. I guess if he put it in quotes it wouldn't be? (Use vs cite)
- melling 11y agoImagine if that was my one word response to your post.