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Ask HN: Please stop using TL;DR

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Ask HN: Please stop using TL;DR

#1

Post by jgrahamc »

I've noticed recently some people using the TL;DR abbreviation to give summaries of stories posted here. I don't like this trend because to me the point of HN is to read the articles and comment on their content, not to read a tiny summary and comment on that.

I think commenting on TL;DR will lead to poorer discussions because commenters are relying on the TL;DR being an accurate summary. It could well be that the TL;DR has an editorial slant from the person who makes the summary.

And often the point of stories on HN is not some tiny summary or moral, but a long article with many different points and data that are hard to summarize.

Also, I'd argue that reading a long piece (especially if it contains an illustrative story) is much more memorable than a summary like this.

Re: Ask HN: Please stop using TL;DR

#2

Post by dilithiumH3 »

I think you missed the point of a TL;DR. I have always treated TL;DR as an abstract to a paper. It kind of sets the stage and presents the conclusion in a concise way so that if one is still interested in the full content of the paper, they can read in depth. For example, if the title is interesting enough for me to get to the page/post. The TL;DR basically packages and refines the crux of the topic so that I can get the gist of the post.

Of course, it would be plain stupid to try to get involved in a discussion without actually getting into reasoning for the conclusion but then there is no solution to stupidity.

Re: Ask HN: Please stop using TL;DR

#3

Post by jgrahamc »

dilithiumH3 wrote: post #2

I think you missed the point of a TL;DR. I have always treated TL;DR as an abstract to a paper. It kind of sets the stage and presents the conclusion in a concise way so that if one is still interested in the full content of the paper, they can read in depth. For example, if the title is interesting enough for me to get to the page/post. The TL;DR basically packages and refines the crux of the topic so that I can get…

And this is why I post things to Hacker News. An intelligent reply with a useful, different perspective.

Re: Ask HN: Please stop using TL;DR

#5

Post by shanelja »

Roberthussy wrote: post #4

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I read this a few times trying to figure out what it meant before realizing it was a bot of some sort or a none-native English speaker posting generic content.

I would downvote it if I could, but for now I'm happy in the knowledge that the domain he is 'pimping' has already been taken down by Hostgator.

Re: Ask HN: Please stop using TL;DR

#6

Post by antidoh »

Roberthussy wrote: post #4

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Is there a word for something, like the service being advertised here, that by its operation demonstrates that it's not fit for use?

Re: Ask HN: Please stop using TL;DR

#7

Post by ralph »

Roberthussy wrote: post #4

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How does one flag the comment as spam or the user as a spammer?

Re: Ask HN: Please stop using TL;DR

#8

Post by pestaa »

I'd call it TL;MWTRITAIM "Too Long; Might Want To Read If This Abstract Interests Me".

So I dislike the "Didn't Read" part only. It implies the reader can't be bothered to consume the whole piece.

Re: Ask HN: Please stop using TL;DR

#9

Post by brudgers »

ralph wrote: post #7
Roberthussy wrote: post #4

I cerebrate, it's a useful issue. I like this message. It smart my design and change. So lots of thanks for sharing this information with me.I share this content with some of my friends.so, keep posting and gave us new ththoughts http://xpertseoservice.com/

How does one flag the comment as spam or the user as a spammer?

If you hit reply, there will be a link for flagging on the reply page. There may become enabled at some karma threshold, but a fairly low one.

Re: Ask HN: Please stop using TL;DR

#10

Post by brudgers »

Like semicolons in general and abbreviations in online discussions, "tl;dr" is both mis and over used.

There is a trend among authors to use it as a stand-in for "In conclusion" and another trend among commentators to use it as an introduction for dismissive snark.

"Too long" inherently implies fault with the writing. When used by an author it is often an excuse for bad writing. Only on rare occasions is it endearing self deprication...or rather it is just possible to imagine such circumstances regardless of their actual occurrence.

On the other hand, its use by a commentator carries the negative connotation that the author's writing isn't worth reading.

tl;dr: Don't use "tl;dr."

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