[itmag]

I guess the reasoning for it is that HN shouldn't be Reddit.

Then again, I've gotten away with humor many times. Actually, some of my highest karma comments are humorous in nature.

Examples:

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3301212

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3299170

[skore]

But that's not even humor just for its own sake - it's actually rather insightful. Which is why it's correct that it wasn't downvoted.

[itmag]

Yeah, I guess you're right.

So the take-home message is that HN isn't Reddit. One should be a witty smart-alec rather than a funny wise-ass.

[scott_s]

I don't think that's the right conclusion. The correct conclusion is, I think: What you say should add something non-trivial to the conversation. If what you have to say is funny, that's a bonus.