Thread

1. nomilk · 1790655652 · focus · HN ↗

   The biggest problem I have with reddit is mods can slowly but systematically ban users who express unfavourable opinions, and over time, anyone casually browsing could mistakenly believe those views are unpopular, whereas in reality everyone with that view (everyone who spoke it, anyway) was banned.

   To give a simple example, one video game franchise subreddit bans any negative discussion on the most recent title. Over 5-10 years, this shielded them from negative feedback. But the franchise has tanked because core users weren't listened to, and they ended up making something nobody wanted.

   1. assimpleaspossi · 1790684503 · focus · HN ↗

      I visit two subs every day and get banned from both of them maybe three times a year. I am an expert in one area and experienced in the other. I typically respond only to outrageous responses to someone who asked a seemingly innocent question. Because I disagreed with the majority I typically get my karma down so low that my comments aren't showing or, last week, I was banned altogether.

      No. I'm not nasty or disrespectful. I just disagree and give the reasons why.

      I try to be helpful but I no longer care. I only glance at the titles in case something new shows up. I don't want to sound like I'm bragging but, as I said, I'm an expert in one area and experienced in the other and reddit users lose that. I know others feel the same way and never go there. I wish I wouldn't.

      1. complex_fir_rea · 1790691855 · focus · HN ↗

         Your experience is similar to mine. I feel like my most stupid and forgettable comments generally get more attention and upvotes, but when someone makes a comment that's clearly false and I respectfully disagree citing authoritative sources, people get defensive and in some cases reply with ad hominem.

         Tried to clear a confusion between DDR5 / LPDDR5 / DIMM standards and cited the relevant JEDEC standards with specific quotes? Get downvoted, all of arguments ignored and replied with more false information.

         Tried to argue that, even if given a charitable interpretation, some units of measurement could be confused if not written correctly (on a conversation where such confusion was clearly happening already)? Downvoted.

         Explain the difference between latency and throughput? Explain that O(1) ⊂ O(n)?

         Reddit is full of idiots who are too confident about things they don't understand and aren't humble enough to admit they're wrong, so they just insist and I just don't care anymore.

         And let's not even get started about having nuance and a balance point of view in politics.

      2. zfnmxt · 1790701582 · focus · HN ↗

         > Because I disagreed with the majority I typically get my karma down so low that my comments aren't showing or, last week, I was banned altogether.

         This is just the nefarious nature of karma-based systems. It also applies here. I find reddit's shadow banning/shadow hiding especially offensive. (Just think for a moment how utterly disgusting it is that such a feature was intentionally designed, implemented, and is now maintained.)

         Not downvoting legitimate (but unpopular) comments is protected by the various rule systems (reddiquette, HN guidelines), but of course rule adherence is (very) low (especially on reddit).

         > I wish I wouldn't.

         Me too. And here as well.

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