[dang]

Are you asking whether people relate to each other on HN? Of course they do. It's a key aspect of the community here.

Users who undermine that system, in the way that I described above, are in a sense freeloading off the community established by others.

[Blikkentrekker]

> Are you asking whether people relate to each other on HN? Of course they do. It's a key aspect of the community here.

I'm asking whether people actually pay attention to usernames to any significant degree and recognize them.

[grzm]

For another point of reference, I do. Reading comments, I also see people refer to and recognize community members such as 'tptacek, 'rayiner, 'dragonwriter, 'DoreenMichele, and many others. For what it's worth, I also recognize your username. Given the number of people on HN, I'm sure there are others that really don't pay much attention, but I know for a fact that there are also those that do.

[Blikkentrekker]

I suppose.

The reason I wondered was because I never had anyone reference anything I said prior to me, whereas I've had this happen on 4chan to me, a forum sans usernames because someone recognized my writing style or opinions.

[pessimizer]

I probably know where 50-100 hn posters work without even having to think about it hard. People have been posting here for a decade and do recognize each other.

[ummonk]

There are quite a few nicknames I recognize, along with the associated personalities.