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I Quit Hacker News

(mattmaroon.com)
261 points cwan | 4 comments | 23 Nov 10 17:00 UTC | HN request time: 0.206s | source
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mquander ◴[23 Nov 10 17:28 UTC] No.1934512[source]▶
I still don't understand why guys like this will complain about quality and then say that they don't flag anything!

Upvotes move posts up. Flags move posts down, and if you get a ton of them, it even makes the post disappear. That's all there is to it! What does it matter whether it's called a flag or a downvote?

replies(1): >>1934545 #
1. pedalpete ◴[23 Nov 10 17:36 UTC] No.1934545[source]▶
You're missing his point about flagging. Flagging is for trolls, spam, etc. It isn't a 'downvote'. He wants downvoting to be the opposite of upvoting, meaning 'I don't like this' or 'I disagree with this'.

As Matt himself says, it is a nuance that is lost on most.

replies(3): >>1934560 #>>1934571 #>>1934574 #
2. mquander ◴[23 Nov 10 17:39 UTC] No.1934560[source]▶
When you use it, it moves posts down, which is exactly the opposite of upvoting! The nuance is lost on me. I don't see why we would be provided with something that acts exactly like a downvote would act, and then expected to use it differently than a downvote.

I also draw no distinction between "spam" and "a link to someone's blog about how they were patted down at the airport." I would just as soon read about free Viagra and watches.

3. jdminhbg ◴[23 Nov 10 17:41 UTC] No.1934571[source]▶
Flagging is also for things that are off-topic. If he's sick of 20 TSA stories every day, I don't think the flag is the wrong option. I personally flag things I see that are merely political.
4. nkurz ◴[23 Nov 10 17:42 UTC] No.1934574[source]▶
Yes, and a Vice Grips is not a very good wrench, unless you are stuck on the side of the road and have nothing else. Is this nuance or unnecessary idealism? :)