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Why is Hacker News like that?

363 points · 173 comments · caution

  1. kdavis · · focus · HN ↗
    Unfortunately moderated out of existence in 10, 9, 8, 7....
    1. dang · · focus · HN ↗
      Yes in the sense that users flagged it, but not in the sense that moderators penalized it. I didn't see it until someone emailed a couple minutes ago.

      The only thing I've done since then is mark the post so it won't be killed by excessive user flags. This means the thread can stay open for new comments.

      I'm not going to remove the flags, because they are clearly an authentic community reaction, though of course some users will have the opposite reaction as well; this is normal.

      1. jakobdabo · · focus · HN ↗
        IMHO, for fairness, upvotes should be the vouches countering the flags. I think unless the amount of flags is really significant, they shouldn't have priority over the 117 upvoters (and counting) who are clearly interested to have this discussion here.

        My thinking could be naïve, as the algorithms were probably created with the backing of some data and experience, but anyway, I felt like sharing my opinion.

        1. minimaxir · · focus · HN ↗
          Flags having a stronger influence than upvoting is a necessary algorithmic check against genuinely bad behavior/brigading, not disagreement. In general it works as intended, which is the best you can do without something potentially worse.
          1. dleeftink · · focus · HN ↗
            > necessary algorithmic check

            Are there any stats available on the weighting ratios such as flags to upvotes, likes and comments per post after flagging, average time to frontpage to flag?

            (G summarises the following[0], but a definitive source would clear up what the necessary algorithmic checks are).

            [0]: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;share.google&#x2F;aimode&#x2F;cs9cKsvGMNRHs8OG1" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;share.google&#x2F;aimode&#x2F;cs9cKsvGMNRHs8OG1

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