Tell HN: Announcing tomhow as a public moderator • Hacker News Board

EcommerceFlow wrote: post #6

Tom, please fix the flag abuse problem. It's gotten to the point where I realize there's no point in commenting on many threads, given my opinions, some of which are very normal nationally.

A political talking point can be nationally popular but still political, so, outside the scope of the site.

Anyway, which nation? I think we also aren’t allowed to push Communist party talking points here, despite that party being highly supported in some countries (not that I’d want to, just saying, nationally popular doesn’t mean much).

Re: Tell HN: Announcing tomhow as a public moderator

#36

Post by rurp » Wed, Apr 02, 2025, 6:09 PM UTC

Welcome Tom! I want to add to the chorus saying how excellent HN has been for so many years, in large part thanks to the excellent moderation. I dove into forums early on and they have always been one of the favorite and most treasured parts of the internet. It's not an exaggeration to say that HN is one of the best ever. The longevity is commendable, especially in an industry full of fads and flameouts.

Dang and Tom, please keep doing what you're doing.

Re: Tell HN: Announcing tomhow as a public moderator

#37

Post by hakaneskici » Wed, Apr 02, 2025, 6:09 PM UTC

Congrats Tom!

Thanks dang and other mods for protecting this sacred corner of the web for so long. You're the guardians of the best no-BS tech news community. It is truly an under-appreciated effort.

Best wishes.

Re: Tell HN: Announcing tomhow as a public moderator

#38

Post by roflyear » Wed, Apr 02, 2025, 6:09 PM UTC

theoryofx wrote: post #20

One thing that I appreciate about dang, and PG before him, is their intellectual honesty and strong sense of ethics. On the face of it, HN should be terrible. It's a forum owned an investment firm as promotion for their business. But because HN was started by an individual with real values, and has been operated day-to-day by individuals that followed in his tradition, its been capable of unreasonable greatness and r…

I really don't think that HN lets dissenting opinions thrive (well, not anything that is truly controversial but not clearly hateful). That may feel cozy but it's not a reflection of anything pure or good, imo.

Re: Tell HN: Announcing tomhow as a public moderator

#39

Post by replwoacause » Wed, Apr 02, 2025, 6:09 PM UTC

Are mods on HN paid or do they just do it for the love of the game?

Re: Tell HN: Announcing tomhow as a public moderator

#40

Post by dkjaudyeqooe » Wed, Apr 02, 2025, 6:09 PM UTC

dpkirchner wrote: post #30

dkjaudyeqooe wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Shouldn't that be directed to those with an agenda who and are flagging certain posts? Those of us who complain about this highly targeted flagging just want to avoid censorship. I can't see how we need to reflect on this.

Forums like this are "censored" and that's a really good thing. We don't need a steady stream of (for example) hate for women, minorities, and trans people that you see on truly uncensored forums.

I agree, but when that is abused because of a minorities' preference, then it's bad.

That's what's happening here.