[metalliqaz]

Is HS a social network? I think of it more like a forum. On HN I don't really care exactly who I interact with. It's just as good to me without my family and friends being users (better, in fact :). Real social networks aren't like that.

[capableweb]

"Real social networks"? There is nothing in "social network" that requires the relationship to be equal in real-life or that you even know the identity of the person you're writing with. Most would consider Twitter social media, and most people I know constantly interact and discuss with people they don't really care who they are and that's not what's important anyways.

I would say in general, places where you interact with other people ends up building some sort of social network of it's insides.

[mongol]

Yes I think it is a social network. They come in many shapes and forms. I think a forum is a social network too.

[metalliqaz]

HN doesn't even have direct messages, though.

[lasagnaphil]

I don’t even use the direct message feature at all in Reddit, but I still feel like interacting with people when I write comments though.