[cambalache]

> sparking a controversial discussion in the comments.

I suppose that generates views but to me it seems a cynical abuse of the platform.

[philosopher1234]

He’s done it again!

[joegahona]

I don't believe "sparking" was the correct gerund for the OP to use, because indeed it sort of implies that it was intentional.

I'd word it simply:

- a spirited discussion

[frankdilo]

Yeah definitely meant spirited discussion. Not a native speaker.

[gk1]

It's also not clear how much it helps. I believe HN penalizes overly controversial posts, and it uses quantity/frequency of comments as a signal of controversy.

[Mnlfrgr]

not his fault people seem to like a fight. It says more about human nature than it does about him.

[Technically]

Well, it certainly says something to profit off it.

[adnzzzzZ]

I've posted a lot of threads here and you have no control over what people will find controversial or not. If you post a thread and it hits people's nerves it generally happens accidentally. And "profiting off it" is always going to happen if you're posting your own work. So in the end I don't really think it says anything.

[Mnlfrgr]

this indeed.