[mercer]

This has been on my mind quite often when I use reddit. I grew up on phpBB style forums where every user was immediately identifiable, through avatar, signature etc. And to a lesser degree I find myself developing a kind of 'image' of various HN posters.

On reddit this somehow doesn't happen. Every comment stands on its own and half the time what looks like a threaded conversation is various different users replying to each other.

I think something very important is lost there. Much as I'd like to believe so, I think the way my brain works is that no comment stands on its own and communication is heavily mediated by the knowledge and reputation of the other in relation to myself. Without that, so much that is valuable in the exchange of information, whether facts or opionion, or nuance, is lost.

[ianai]

You’re totally right. If it’s an argument then maybe one of the replies convinced the original poster. But some other person may reply to the most authoritative reply and claim superiority and falsehood of that posts authority. And there’s no way to correct it automatically. So all the smart comments wind up fighting the incorrect and an honest third party will likely have gained nothing.