The problem is when a submitter wants to follow the site guidelines, as OP did.
So do we want to be correct, or do we want to win?
It's nice if you can do both. Unfortunately, most systems in the world are actively being gamed which means adding additional constraints to systems (like being correct, clear, forthcoming, honest, etc.) often put you at a disadvantage.
Obviously this applies more to comments than to submissions but the comments are a large part of the user experience here so whether HN is "based on this premise of winning" boils down to a question of the importance of the comment section.
I want to win, but I want to make sure that the thesis has some modeling diligence =)
I know I've often fallen prey to this effect. You feel like your team has a disadvantage and then think the other team crazy when they claim the same. Almost like our brains are trying desperately to let us feel justified in relaxing our moral code.
Of course, confirmation biases and other related phenomena help us construct and reinforce these perspectives.
judge Claude Frollo longed to purge the world of vice and sin / and he saw corruption everywhere, except within.
I’d much rather be correct, and let people make their own decisions. Otherwise this thing you call “freedom” is just empty words on a bit of paper.
No, not control - principal reduction of problems associated with climate crisis.