Hacker News Reader

Comment by no_math_phd | Hacker News Reader

As I see, that you require a math phd address. Why do you think that only PhD in math might contribute to the discussion? You are just making it impossible for people with non standard background to participate. You are reinforcing opinion widespread in academia that only people from the right background could do any meaningful research.

View on HN

The title of this submission says "math PhD", but if you try to register on the site you'll see it's actually looking for "math PhD candidates", so it's even weirder than you'd suggest: the site author wants discussion from people who don't have a PhD math but might get one in a couple of years. Very strange.

I dont believe that. Its open for anyone to read, and for math PhDs to quickly register. All other addresses are put on hold for manual check, not rejected. Some people have requested to join in this thread and have received an account without a PhD. Its not meant to be elitist at all, just focused on the quality content (wherever it comes from)

In the "user guide" it says it's a platform for math/stats PhDs, and describes a process for checking email addresses. It certainly gives the impression of unwelcome to people who are neither PhDs nor currently enrolled in a PhD program.

If you want people who don't have and aren't trying to obtain a PhD to participate, I think you should say so explicitly.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com