[s810]

>If your account is less than a year old, please don't submit comments saying that HN is turning into Reddit. (It's a common semi-noob illusion.)

I am genuinely not trying to start a flamewar (as stated in line 3 of the comments section of the 'guidelines'), but I don't think it's going to be an illusion for much longer.

This site seems to be mentioned very often recently (along with metafilter and buzzfeed) as becoming the reddit refugee camp for those who don't like what they're doing over there for a variety of reasons. Anyone who frequents both can attest to this.

P.S. my account here is more than a year old, having said that though, i never did read the rules until now. A good read. Thanks for listening.

[Locke1689]

There's nothing directly wrong with people coming from Reddit to HN. I never really spent a lot of time with Reddit as even when I transitioned I felt that Reddit was already in its downward spiral. My only fear would be that some of Reddit's mainstream users would make the transition but I feel this is unlikely, given the nature of the site. By having an established technical presence, along with progressive karma unlocks, new accounts have comparatively little influence on the moderation itself.

In addition, while Reddit facilitates anonymous discussion, Hacker News has a substantial transparency in its population. My real name and address, for example, are trivial to find out using the information in my HN profile -- and that's kind of the point. You'll find that this practice is far more common on HN than on Reddit.

[andreyf]

In addition, while Reddit facilitates anonymous discussion, Hacker News has a substantial transparency in its population. My real name and address, for example, are trivial to find out using the information in my HN profile -- and that's kind of the point. You'll find that this practice is far more common on HN than on Reddit.

I hadn't noticed this, but it's very true. As a side-effect of the "would you say this in person?" question, I treat HN users as I would people I would have no hesitation of meeting in person. On reddit, although someone could put in the effort to find/meet me in person, I assume no one will.

[jquery]

> I am genuinely not trying to start a flamewar (as stated in line 3 of the comments section of the 'guidelines'), but I don't think it's going to be an illusion for much longer.

I see that line in the guidelines as a nostalgic reminder of more erudite times past.

> reddit refugee camp

I really can't blame anyone who flees Reddit for Hacker News, even if I begrudge the migration itself.

[andrewvc]

In my mind, metafilter had the right idea years ago. Charge $5 per account. Keeps most of the scum out.