[ryandrake]

> We can only guess why users flag things.

I'm sure you've considered this feature, but since flagging is such a heavyweight (in terms of ranking impact) activity, shouldn't a flagger need to at least articulate (via text or a drop-down menu) why they are flagging it? Even vague choices like "Site guideline violation," "Spam," "Astroturfing," "Political flame bait" might offer some of the missing insight.

[dang]

I've always resisted that, but could be persuaded. Not sure we'd get the true reasons though.

[ajb]

What are your concerns with that?

If it's overhead for the flagger, they could be presented with a single multi choice question, eg:

What most deserves flagging: a)item title b) item content c) hn discussion d) something else

With different users presented with different questions to build up a picture.

Flags could be recorded even if the question isn't answered, but with you reserving the right to weight ones without answers less.

[dang]

Mainly the bureaucratic nature of it. Preserving HN's minimalism has been a priority because it's the kind of thing that's so easily lost; like a frog boiling itself.

[ryandrake]

Yea, I get the hesitance to invest in this. Nobody is going to select/admit reasons like "Because flagging is a mega-downvote and I don't like this story getting attention," even if it's the real reason. We don't know how accurate or actionable Slashdot's drop-down choice moderation was, either. Even if people are honest about their intentions, what is actionable? Not much I guess.