Comment by mongol
3 years ago
I think I am like you. I recognize almost no one. It gives me this weird feeling that every comment comes from a unique person, and that the number of people commenting is approximately infinite. Which I understand rationally to be wrong, but still.
Concur, it feels lonely out in space. Do you think that if the username were subtly emphasized (bold, or on its own line) we would notice it more?
The value should be in the arguments and the merit of the comment itself, nothing should emphasize the user in my view. That said it’s sometimes nice to just click the name and see if there is a profile.
On that theory, maybe not show the username at all, just a link to the profile?
I’d be curious whether people here would like more/less awareness of usernames. I suppose I’ll find out if my comments on it get any reactions.
7 replies →
...depends on the medium?
My pc-at-home view is very different to my android 'materalistic' (app) view.
I rarely care about the username, though for the longest time i didn't spot/ think/ know about 'dang', actually being 'dan g'.
Unsure. But I don't think it matters so much actually.
If this was a problem, the solution would be to allow avatars, and give a unique one (like gravatar) to users who don't set an avatar themselves.
I agree. That's why things are as they are and ad hoc ideas about changing them are better left unexecuted.
If anyone wants a quick, nice pop-up on mouse-over, there is 'Refinded Hacker News' plugin for Chrome and FF: https://github.com/plibither8/refined-hacker-news
And also the option whether to see them or not. Set your options for more or less social interaction.
Would it alter the zeitgeist subtly or dramatically? Most noticeable to the more social or less social people? Here in Konishi polis.
In a certain sense it is true that every comment comes from a unique person. You are not the same person you were yesterday :)