[stephen_cagle]

This sort of content feels good in the immediacy but ultimately lessens the quality of hn.

I'm not concerned about this post specifically, but I feel that we should be more critical of things like this making it onto hn. I come to hn to mostly hear about tech, tech advances, startups, etc. I don't come here to read feel good (and admittedly, very cute) stories. They have their place, but I feel that place is not hn.

[cloverich]

IMO the near constant dismissive, negative, and / or non-constructive criticism is what devalues HN. Genuine curiosity, sharing of contextual and tangential experiences, and constructive criticism are what makes it great. At its best its only about technology because thats where many inquisitive types end up.

In this particular case, the spark it ignited in me and others was precisely that inquisitive nature - about eschewing the expected value in lifes activities and instead reaching for that inner genuine interest can turn many experienced upside down. Maybe in reaching too far, but that was my take away from it. If similar stories were reposted ad nauseum i doubt they would make the front page and thus for me at least i am unconcerned with its presence.

[j2bax]

Maybe a little bit of humanity and feel good is just what HN needs! These computers and software and such are after all for... humans mostly.

[millzlane]

Computer issues are easy. I could do it all day. But those human problems are tough to crack.

[stephen_cagle]

Maybe so, this is a public community and the community will decide on its own standards (as it should be). My opinions are my own.

I can't exactly draw the line about what does belong on hn, but a question I sometimes ask myself is "Would I be rolling my eyes if I read similar content on Linkedin?" If so, I assume it shouldn't be on hn.

[j2bax]

I can agree that I wouldn't want to see this type of content take over HN... and I don't think it would. But a little sprinkled in seems fine.

[jll29]

I come to HM for technology matters, but I am genuinely interested to see that the many geeks here from hardware nerd over full-stack developer to investor or founder are all also human beings that have ordinary lives and ordinary problems.

It is valuable content to read on HN how fellow geeks see other spheres of life.

[culebron21]

You may check out the mess of LinkedIn. Fully professional, almost no "off-topic" posts. People always write they're happy, proud, excited. Future tech vids. Productivity porn vids. "Check out our next feature." Successful success 24/7.

Another collective blog I read turned into a flood of corporate "why work with us" or "how to patch KDE under FreeBSD", or "Zuckerberg just said X. This news was translated by XYZ personal brand consulting co.".

Tech blogs that I read, turned into either stream of USB gadgets, or into big tech geopolitics. "Google wants to flank Facebook with X, Nvidia won't let AMD do Y, Altman thinks Z, waters changed."

This post about kids and normal life is what makes HN different.

[pmzy]

OP here. I see where you're coming from and I even agree with you. I seek and like tech posts on HN.

That being said, I enjoy reading (and writing) human stories as well! Plus, it's nice to read the many stories people are sharing in the comments of this post. It shows that our community isn't as cold/ruthless as some may think :)

[stephen_cagle]

For sure, like I said, it isn't about this (your) post. Just wanted to make a small amount of noise about keeping hn aligned with the interest I associate it with.

Very cute story though, commend you for observing such truths in your parenting.

[millzlane]

At the risk of sounding old and cranky I'm inclined to agree with you. The story made me smile no doubt. But I was not expecting a public transportation story.

[divbzero]

I don’t mind it in small doses and trust the community to vote appropriately.

Even the Wall Street Journal has lighthearted “A-hed” articles, which have occupied valuable space on their front page for 83 years and counting.

[RandomThoughts3]

I think the comment about the kid liking the puddle the best at the zoo is the best comment I have read on HN in the past decade.

90% of HN is off topic drivel, pointless ranting , overall tired and unoriginal, when it’s not flat out wrong. I include most of my contributions in these 90%. Genuinely interesting contributions are then few and far between amongst the 10% which actually desserve to exist. If it’s quality you seek, you can close your account right now and go do something useful with your time instead.

At least, this post is soulful and happy.

[rahimnathwani]

The article spurred a bunch of interesting comments. The comments are why I come to HN.