Tell HN: Lately, things have been strange
Lately, things have been strange
It's been a long year. It has worn us out
I thought it ended and things would get better, but I'm not sure anymore
I used to like spending time with you... maybe a little bit too much time. But valuable nonetheless
You made me learn about selling onions[0], Cameras[1] and so much more useful stuff(mostly useful, sometimes not)
You told me my apps were not working before even my co-workers realised[2]
You were the first one to tell me great humans had passed away[3][4]
You've always put startups, science and knowledge first
You made me hopeful about the future we could create
You stood for the exchange of knowledge through civilised conversations, curiosity[5]
> Be kind. Don't be snarky. Have curious conversation; don't cross-examine. Please don't fulminate. Please don't sneer, including at the rest of the community.
> Comments should get more thoughtful and substantive, not less, as a topic gets more divisive.
Nowadays, when I'm with you, dear HN, I tend not to be as excited anymore
The arguments and sources we used to exchange have turned in rants and whataboutisms
The implied humor turned into cynicism
Facts turned into opinions
I feel like (anecdotally perhaps) every other comment makes a poorly disguised political argument[6], gets flagged or is irrelevant/toxic[7][8]
What are we, HN? Who are we? What de we stand for? What have we become?
Is there a way we can go back? To when all we wanted was to feed our curiosity?
Maybe we do not try to understand each other anymore
We read posts and comments to answer. Not to learn, not to understand
Maybe we can pay more attention to how we formulate what we say
I guess it would at least be a start
We should take a look at what we have become, take a step back, to understand ourselves
Maybe only then will we understand -and respect- each other
I love you HN. Please don't let me hate you