algorithmic news streams are monetized by maximizing time on site, we optimized Slashdot post rate to maximize comments, which we felt was a reasonable proxy for value to community. Not for value of readers to the advertiser. Of Course we see how that worked out!
HN inserts increasing delays before you can reply to deeply nested comments, because we found that the more deeply nested a comment was, the less valuable it was likely to be.
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Is valuable here defined as total utility? (utility per person * # people who may find it useful) I ask because I've often found the most insightful comments/ideas residing in longer conversations (typically seen under 1-4 parent comments out of say 50+).
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I was intentionally vague with the word “value” a comment meant some gave enough of a crap to put words into a text field, so my story selection, story pacing etc resonated. Measuring the value of discussions is nuanced. Long discussions revert to mean, but w exceptions obv
End of conversation
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After 'First Post' burst, comments TEND weaker over time (drowned by redundant, rah rah, or FUs) regardless of thread depth. Replies can be visually deprioritized without impacting post rates. Slashdot had the notorious 'slow down cowboy' which I always felt was a necessary evil
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
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