Ask YC: Should there be an option to hide Karma?

1 points by markm ↗ HN
There are many valid arguments to always show karma, but I would suggest that having the choice of customizing your karma display has a net affect of adding value to the site.

The obvious advantage of showing Karma is the feedback it creates to help users learn what is accepted commentary.

On the other hand showing Karma fosters a type of pro Karma group-think, which takes value away from the site.

Anyone have similar thoughts?

2 comments

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I'm not sure I see the downside of showing Karma. Do you have any specific examples of groupthink in mind?
for example, I'd say there is a tendency to upmod an item (without really reading it, or agreeing with it) just because it already has 50 karma.