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Comment by jimjimjim | Hacker News Reader

Oh no, the ponzi is running out of rubes.

We've banned this account for posting unsubstantive comments and ignoring our requests to stop.

If you don't want to be banned, you're welcome to email hn@ycombinator.com and give us reason to believe that you'll follow the rules in the future.

for anyone that actually wants to take the time to email, all they do is tell you to keep making comments that others vouch for and maybe one day you’ll get unbanned. they won’t actually do it just based on you agreeing to follow the rules. kinda condescending and misleading.

We unban people in the majority of cases when they email us. Not always, though—it depends on whether we believe they sincerely mean to use HN as intended. Even then, though, there's nearly always a way for someone to demonstrate that. It just might take a bit longer.

I don't think it's misleading. That's why I use the phrase "give us reason to believe". Most do, and those we're happy to unban right away. Some don't, for whatever reason, and for them we offer a slower but doable alternative. (Except in rare cases where we've already given someone a dozen chances or whatever.)

I hate having to make judgment calls like that, btw; it sucks. But we don't have a choice. Serial trolls are a thing, and the alternative is to turn HN over to the flames.

If you demonstrated your inability or unwillingness to follow the rules and got yourself banned in the first place, don't you think you owe the community some proof that you can do better?

Blind trust is what forced us to ban you in the first place.

Invest in us and we'll consider re-investing in you.

I read the comment as email us with the reason you should be unbanned and we will consider it. instead you are told that the email was a waste of time.

my point is why make the users email? just explain that you’ve been banned but the users can unban you. there’s no point in tricking the user into thinking emailing can get you unbanned.

it would be like going to a parole board hearing and being told there’s no way we’re letting you go free, we’re not in charge of it. ok well then why did you invite me here?

Maybe as a way to stop bots from trying to get unbanned. You still need to mail a human being before the unban process can start.

I don't understand how that is "condescending and misleading". Sometimes even adults need a bit of hand-holding, and this decentralizes the activity of reintegration, if I'm reading your comment correctly.

Why would mere agreement be enough, after repeated requests to improve behaviour have been made and ignored? Sounds like a demonstration of improvement its about the right bar...

Talk is cheap. Actually making substantive comments is harder.

If you are banned you can still comment? What is the actual ban?

Banned user comments are initially only displayed to users who have opted in to see them with the showdead option in their profile. It's made visible to everyone if it gets enough upvotes or replies.

Minor correction -- it's only made visible if a trusted user vouches for the comment. "Dead" comments cannot be voted on or replied to.

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