I don't agree that the caliber of conversation is higher here. It's more directed since HN has a single topic, but I've never had someone completely change the

I don't agree that the caliber of conversation is higher here. It's more directed since HN has a single topic, but I've never had someone completely change the way I think about a topic the way I have at reddit. The amazing part about reddit is the sheer spectrum of people you meet. For you that's obviously not interest, but for me, I'd much rather have that experience than what HN gives me. But I also don't choose, I simply experience both, which is the answer to your original question. It's also the answer to Hubski's complaints about reddit. I like being able to have a deep conversation with someone about software dev, laugh at a cat pic, and learn something new about a subject I know little about, all in the span of a few hours. HN will never give that sort of experience.