Hacker News Reader

Comment by tedunangst | Hacker News Reader

Quoting yourself is a common rhetorical device. Deliberate, outlandish appeal to authority. It translates as "OMG I can't believe people are so dumb they didn't know this, but just for good measure I'll spell it out for you."

The irony/humor comes from the contrast of saying something completely obvious, but couching it in the quotable quotes phrasing of something remarkably insightful.

View on HN

And people wonder why I like HN so much.

I love HN because it's the only site where one guy can be an authority on cryptography, politics, computer science and hitman etiquette all at the same time, and nobody bats an eyelid

by that logic, you should love reddit more - they have people are experts in all those things PLUS relationships, biology, animals, fitness and even modern pop culture, all rolled into one guy!

Definitely true. What comes from including your name though? I think had someone less widely known said the same thing more people would have questioned their motives.

I'd point out his profile but I imagine that would garner even more negative attention. ;)

2x outlandish score multiplier, though as you note it works better if your name is already recognized.

If a friend emails to suggest going out to dinner, I might reply "My name is Ted Unangst and I approve this message", aping the words at the end of presidential candidate commercial. My friends don't actually need to be told my name; it's just funny.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com