Because Slashdot actually provides the facilities to do so. If I could browse +5 HN comments then believe me I would.
As others pointed out, even +5 /. browsing leaves you with a stilted half-conversation where you have to expand lower-rated comments to even understand the points being made in the replies. Even worse, often times you'll find some really great comments moderated into the ground there just because they aren't politically correct. Good debate and logical thinking aren't very appreciated there, just snarky comments and closely following the prevailing groupthink.
I could make the same argument about HN.
You could try. I don't think that it would be a particularly good argument. Slashdot's vicious trolling, moderation stalking, and general nastiness is something that I saw way too many times. Discovering HN last year was a huge breath of fresh air. I appreciate it and won't be taking it for granted any time soon.
You've apparently never run into the malicious pack of down-voters here. Say something they disagree with (even when they are wrong), use humor, or say thank you, and you will.
Your take on /. is also overly negative. I've enjoyed it for many years. The reason I'm here more lately is that I've grown tired of much of the topics there, (such as software licensing) which I have little interest in.
On Slashdot, you get stories of general interest without "What's this doing on HN?" or "I wonder if a startup could disrupt <whatever>?" bullshit comments cropping up. People can post humor for the sake of humor without getting stick-up-the-ass shitheels posting high-and-mighty "we are not amused" replies and downvoting. Slashdot feels fun and maybe a bit incendiary. Hacker News has great content and a lot of great posters, but it also has this atmosphere of constantly trying to make yourself look as smart and perfect as possible, taking yourself way too seriously, and most importantly selling yourself/your startup at any opportunity.
As others pointed out, even +5 /. browsing leaves you with a stilted half-conversation where you have to expand lower-rated comments to even understand the points being made in the replies. Even worse, often times you'll find some really great comments moderated into the ground there just because they aren't politically correct. Good debate and logical thinking aren't very appreciated there, just snarky comments and closely following the prevailing groupthink.
I could make the same argument about HN.
You could try. I don't think that it would be a particularly good argument. Slashdot's vicious trolling, moderation stalking, and general nastiness is something that I saw way too many times. Discovering HN last year was a huge breath of fresh air. I appreciate it and won't be taking it for granted any time soon.