[wpietri]

This is an odd thing to say on a site that depends so heavily on the upvote.

[d0gsg0w00f]

It only depends heavily on the up vote if you depend on the up vote. Sometimes it's nice just to formulate thoughts in writing. If others see it, great. If not, no big deal.

[wpietri]

Because upvotes control visibility, you are still describing a reward function that depends on the upvote.

[s1artibartfast]

I think they explicitly said the opposite. That the writing is their reward, and comments are always visible to the author. Visibility to other humans is incidental, or at least a secondary concern.

[wpietri]

They explicitly said, "If others see it, great. If not, no big deal."

So I agree they get some reward from the writing. (Like all writers do, and like we can all do just as well with a journal.) But the part I just quoted is clearly part of the reward function, and just as clearly the total reward increases with others seeing it. Which on HN is controlled by upvotes.

[s1artibartfast]

They also said "Sometimes it's nice just to formulate thoughts in writing". "Just" implies sufficient reward. Visibility is a part of the reward function, but it is not dependent on it.

[wpietri]

You're using a meaning of "depends on" which I'm unfamiliar with. Where are you getting it from?