Ask HN: How Many of You Are Like Me?

#1

Post by seanMeverett » Sun, Feb 13, 2011, 9:45 PM UTC

I've ready every HN post for the past few years, but have only commented on less than 10. This is also my first submission. I've learned more from the community than I did during my $100,000 MBA from the University of Chicago.

So the question is? How many of you soak up all this knowledge like it's nicotine but don't comment much or post at all?

I suppose if you're really like me, you actually won't comment on this thread at all, LOL. It's a paradoxical enigma, or something like that...

Re: Ask HN: How Many of You Are Like Me?

#2

Post by us » Sun, Feb 13, 2011, 10:05 PM UTC

I've been on here for the past few years as well but more recently started this account and in the past three days (literally speaking) have been trying to make an effort to comment and help out as much as possible to the HN community. I haven't posted anything yet but may soon sometime in the near future when I have something of value to provide. I know a few others that don't even have accounts that just come on here to read. It's not uncommon.

Re: Ask HN: How Many of You Are Like Me?

#3

Post by wallflower » Sun, Feb 13, 2011, 10:10 PM UTC

I lurked for about a year before I posted. Don't do it :) It's very addictive once you start amassing bits of attention.

Chicago has an excellent reputation!

Re: Ask HN: How Many of You Are Like Me?

#4

Post by Mz » Sun, Feb 13, 2011, 10:12 PM UTC

us wrote: post #2

I've been on here for the past few years as well but more recently started this account and in the past three days (literally speaking) have been trying to make an effort to comment and help out as much as possible to the HN community. I haven't posted anything yet but may soon sometime in the near future when I have something of value to provide. I know a few others that don't even have accounts that just come on he…

Last figure I heard was 80K unique visitors a day. I doubt there are anywhere near that many accounts and certainly not anywhere near that many accounts routinely posting. So 'not uncommon' is probably a vast understatement.

Re: Ask HN: How Many of You Are Like Me?

#5

Post by citricsquid » Sun, Feb 13, 2011, 10:16 PM UTC

I comment, but add no value, does that count? We're all leeches! :p

Re: Ask HN: How Many of You Are Like Me?

#6

Post by frevd » Sun, Feb 13, 2011, 10:18 PM UTC

lol - you're not alone ;]. see, i'm here for 800 days now but stopped commenting on most of the threads long ago when I realized that my views are somewhat diametrically different and would not be accepted easily by those so more wise and better connected than my dumb self. they installed a nice feedback mechanism that effectively limits my input - whenever I post something I must fear ridiculous downvoting by those higher priviledged clergy folks. I guess that keeps the platform at a common standard, unfortunately I have not much to say at that point.. and I know some more people that do not post a single response, people much brighter than me. Not everybody communicates at the same rate, though.

Re: Ask HN: How Many of You Are Like Me?

#7

Post by theprodigy » Sun, Feb 13, 2011, 10:20 PM UTC

I think there is a lot of people who just lurk around and read everything, that is ok, but if you participate in discussion I think you will definitely learn a lot more.

Google cone of learning.

Re: Ask HN: How Many of You Are Like Me?

#8

Post by Mz » Sun, Feb 13, 2011, 10:23 PM UTC

frevd wrote: post #6

lol - you're not alone ;]. see, i'm here for 800 days now but stopped commenting on most of the threads long ago when I realized that my views are somewhat diametrically different and would not be accepted easily by those so more wise and better connected than my dumb self. they installed a nice feedback mechanism that effectively limits my input - whenever I post something I must fear ridiculous downvoting by those…

I'm a former homemaker and the only coding I know is a little (x)html and css, so I am very much a demographic outlier for this forum. Plus, my views tend to not quite fit in anywhere I go. Prompt feedback, like votes and comments, can be a mechanism for honing your communication skills. Presentation can go a long way towards making it palatable to express an opposing point of view. You probably won't get a lot of upvotes for it. But you don't necessarily have to be downvoted into oblivion either.

Attitude towards such things can make a big difference. :-)

Re: Ask HN: How Many of You Are Like Me?

#9

Post by ireadzalot » Sun, Feb 13, 2011, 10:26 PM UTC

Sometimes I don't comment because the other comments seems so well-thought-out and expertly laid out. Level of knowledge of some HN commenters is almost intimidating sometimes.

Re: Ask HN: How Many of You Are Like Me?

#10

Post by jparicka » Sun, Feb 13, 2011, 10:26 PM UTC

i won't comment