The beauty of the “new” HN sorting system
Previously [the algorithm for ranking comments] was the same as the one for ranking frontpage stories. Now it also considers among other things the average comment score of the submitter. (source)
I wish Paul Graham advertised this more, because it would lead to better HN-citizenship: the best way to get a high average comment score is to post rarely, and only when certain you’re going to get a lot of votes: like the top comment The people who do so will be the ones to get even higher scores, because they’re on the top of the page longer. One day, it’ll make it really hard to catch up: someone with an average score of 100 will stay on top of each thread so long, he’ll get a lot more votes.
Maybe a leveling system would help, too, based on average karma score. Not just gray versus orange, but levels 1-5 or so. That’s because two segregated groups is a model for conflict. But if it seems like a competition, the psychological impact would be to compete civilly, you need to make better thought-out comments. And if you make stupid comments, your level will drop. Simple, and it gives all the right incentives.
