I predict a cottage industry of sites that provide unmoderated discussion around the HN frontpage articles in the wake of this decision. It might be interesting to provide a site to do incline, anonymous annotation of/replies to existing, approved comments. Sort of a meta-HN meets Statler and Waldorf.
> As without the ability to have conversations with people better than me at interesting stuff what does this place offer that reddit doesn't.
It offers the opportunity to read insightful thoughfulncomments from people who know what they're talking about, without also having to tolerate vicious and stupid comments.
> It offers the opportunity to read insightful thoughfulncomments from people who know what they're talking about
So do many other sites, for me the main draw is the ability to take part in the conversation.
> It offers the opportunity to read insightful thoughfulncomments from people who know what they're talking about, without also having to tolerate vicious and stupid comments.
I'll take having to read the odd vicious/stupid comment (and on here they are the oddity) if it allows me to take part in the conversation.
I'll resist the urge for a knee-jerk reaction but as it currently stands I'll probably just stop using Hacker News if I can't comment, I don't see much of anything on here I wouldn't find by subscribing to the right sub-reddits, it really is the conversation that sets this place apart.
The end result is I'll probably just stop visiting hacker news so frequently (if at all).
As without the ability to have conversations with people better than me at interesting stuff what does this place offer that reddit doesn't.