The end result is I'll probably just stop visiting hacker news so frequently (if at all).
As without the ability to have conversations with people better than me at interesting stuff what does this place offer that reddit doesn't.
They already do that (and ironically that was one of the suggestions made on the Pending Comments Post).
It offers the opportunity to read insightful thoughfulncomments from people who know what they're talking about, without also having to tolerate vicious and stupid comments.
So do many other sites, for me the main draw is the ability to take part in the conversation.
> It offers the opportunity to read insightful thoughfulncomments from people who know what they're talking about, without also having to tolerate vicious and stupid comments.
I'll take having to read the odd vicious/stupid comment (and on here they are the oddity) if it allows me to take part in the conversation.
I'll resist the urge for a knee-jerk reaction but as it currently stands I'll probably just stop using Hacker News if I can't comment, I don't see much of anything on here I wouldn't find by subscribing to the right sub-reddits, it really is the conversation that sets this place apart.
I guess we will see what happens.