logoalt Hacker News

tracerbulletxyesterday at 7:29 PM1 replyview on HN

Agreed. You've probably noticed this too, but I think 90% of the very dumb, mean spirited, and inflammatory things I see are from someone purporting to dunk on it, or refute it, or tell us how it made them mad. Its probably the main mechanism by which is spreads. I think a lot of people do it organically, but I also think coordinated marketing campaigns will intentionally post things as if they're in opposition because its such an effective mechanism of spreading it. TLDR rage bait is bad don't fall for it!


Replies

dangyesterday at 10:55 PM

It's the way the human psyche works, which is why the second-order versions from marketers, media, etc., exist in the first place.

Trying to change that globally would amount to modifying human evolution. That kind of task you can't even call biting off more than you can chew; it's more the kind that bites you off, and then chews you in your entirety.

But that doesn't mean we can't do something at an individual level, and even a group level.

show 1 reply