An Open Letter to the Hacker News Community

A couple things:

First, I think you contribute well as you. I don't think much needs to be changed. Basically you are contributing in a way that adds value, because you add value to the community. I think this is true of most of the people with good karma here -- each person contributes in his/her own way, and the sum of those is a community. I like that you think to ask, but I think the fact that you care enough to ask obviates the need for feedback.

Second -- I take slight issue with the notion that persistent but average input is somehow not valuable to the community. Average here is pretty darn good, it's what attracts readers. The comments in large part are not super-comments or majorly insightful. They are just discussion, the whole of which provides usefulness to people like me.

Third -- Please keep contributing in any way you see fit. HN is good and you aren't lowering that.

Well, what's your goal? Why do you comment on Hacker News so much? Do you do it to give back to other hackers? Is it to promote yourself? Do you do it just because you enjoy it?

People might not know what they really need, so any advice people give might just be a weird version by what they want to hear.

Just keep doing what you're doing.

I think this is a pretty hard obstacle to conquer. There is no "best" or "right" way to comment. If you think your comment works, then keep on doing that.

Be real. Be yourself.

There is too little of that now in "HR America."

(long time reader, don't always agree, but always get my money's worth)