The value of downvoting, or, how Hacker News gets it wrong (2009)
To those of you addicted to Hacker News;  I can offer this tip.<p>Get a Hellban.  It&#x27;s not hard after all.  I&#x27;ll probally get hellbanned over this post?<p>You will find you will still pruse HN, but very rarely will you feel the need to contribute.  Your time here will decrease.<p>Hacker News does not need much improvement.  It does seem  like it&#x27;s on the back end of it&#x27;s business cycle though, like all current social sites?  I used business cycle because I don&#x27;t know the word for a social site&#x27;s decline.  Decline is too harsh a word.  Maybe predictable conversations, and a bit of a echo chamber, is more appripro?  Hacker News is still the best site for scientific conversation on the the internet though.<p>It seems like we have hashed out the important scientific stuff, and most issues computer related.<p>I&#x27;m so greatfull to the hard nosed scientists whom hang here, and take umbridge to unsupported claims.  I really do appreciate you guys.  You know who you are.  You are usually the first one to comment on a study&#x27;s flaw, or whether the Placebo Effect is rearing it&#x27;s magical head.<p>Graham should add a few more moderators though.  Never give too much power to one person, and an owner.  This   Plus--if Graham pays more Moderators, he could write off the added expence?  It could be his gift to humanity?  Oh yea, block a person, but do away with hellbanning.  It&#x27;s wimpy, passive aggressive, weak move.  I understand moderation, but just block a person.  Don&#x27;t let them rattle on to open air.<p>I would like to see a few more political discussions though.  Not a lot, but some.  Maybe one every other week?  Expose the political fakers, and hypocrites.  Expose the political hacks on both sides.  Track every dime both parties bring in by way of Lobbiests?