> I can't overstate the loss of community that occurred as a result. On reddit, the fact that usernames aren't prominent and there are no avatars makes it impossible to build "characters" in your mind. People are friendly, but they are perpetual strangers.
It's funny, I've had the exact same thought more than once.
If you asked me "Should comments be judged by their content and not the person making them", I would say absolutely. But then you get Reddit. I do miss the characters from various online forums in the 90s-00s.
It's a little ironic posting this reply on HN though :)
I've got some people tagged by companies, or their interests, or names if I happen to learn them randomly (like spotting John Nagle!) It definitely makes the experience more interesting.
It's funny, I've had the exact same thought more than once.
If you asked me "Should comments be judged by their content and not the person making them", I would say absolutely. But then you get Reddit. I do miss the characters from various online forums in the 90s-00s.
It's a little ironic posting this reply on HN though :)