joshuago’s Bookmarks

In most online communities, 90% of users are lurkers who never contribute, 9% of users contribute a little, and 1% of users account for almost all the action.

The company is challenging the idea that discount retailers must pay workers poorly.

An explanation from the original author of GNU grep explaining its fast inner workings.

It is really pretty simple. Ads work when they are extending the content. Ads don't work when they are disrupting the content.

Even fleeting feelings of power can dramatically change the way people respond to information. Instead of analyzing the strength of the argument, those with authority focus on whether or not the argument confirms what they already believe. If it doesn't, then the facts are conveniently ignored.

The first America tends to make the finer-sounding speeches, and the second America often strikes cruder, more xenophobic notes. But both understandings of this country have real wisdom to offer, and both have been necessary to the American experiment’s success.

The extra effort caused by our overengineering carries a hefty opportunity cost.

There’s a lot more to life than being rich, and the people you really want to have in your life know that.

Don’t hire an agency that does sample work before you’ve explained your problem. What could they possibly be solving? They’re trying to impress you with pretty.

An archive of quality Hacker News "Ask YC" posts grouped by subject.