On: Captchas To Keep Idiots Out Of Comment Threads

[trotsky]

If Fox Nation implemented something like this, they’d have zero commenters (unless, of course, they made the wrong answers “right”).

I wholeheartedly disagree. I am pretty much a total idiot (based on many years of evidence) and yet I can easily use the words listed correctly. The fact that I espouse bizarre and unworkable methods of government (see my username) certainly doesn't prevent me from spelling correctly. In fact, unworkable and impractical ideas may be a significant indicator of post-secondary education.

I'm surprised to see such a thinly veiled insult directed at one set of political beliefs sit at #1 on HN.

[Udo → trotsky]

  I'm surprised to see such a thinly veiled insult directed at one
  set of political beliefs sit at #1 on HN.*

Things tend to sit at #1 on HN because they're interesting and engaging. I didn't post the link because I wholeheartedly agree with it, and I suspect that's not the reason why people upvoted it either.

That being said, I think the not-so-thinly veiled insult directed at the average Tea Party clientele is backed up by casual observation. And that's saying something, coming from a foreigner who has no stake in the US party system (=me).

  I am pretty much a total idiot (based on many years of evidence) 
  and yet I can easily use the words listed correctly.

You're obviously not an idiot. You can articulate yourself, bring points across in an eloquent manner, thus enriching the conversation. Compare that to someone who only communicates in lulz or derrrp-speak. The point of having an online discussion is not to surround yourself with people who agree with you 100% of the time, it's about having a stimulating discussion in the first place.