Just curious what purpose you use hide for? It's a feature I've always kinda ignored. (If I don't want to see a story, I just keep scrolling.)

It's good for personal bookkeeping. Whether you've already read a story, the comments or just have no interest - it's nice to get off your page so you don't have the unnecessary clutter and/or distraction.

Ok, added.

BTW: If there was something to reduce accidental hits on hide and flag, that would be great.

On mobile touch screens, being right under the main links they can get hit a surprising number of times and then you've got to go fumble around to undo it.

Maybe a "comfortable" setting a la Gmail?

It keeps the normies away.

Just kidding (mostly).

Oh, there's a hide button ...!