Well, of course they have a Spot check.

it's called "Inspection" and costs $29,750.00 :)

Obviously Disney owns copyright for ordering exactly 101.

These are really expensive, so I think chances are if you need more than 2 then they want to make sure you get a demo with engineers, probably custom contracts/pricing, etc. Probably a fraud prevention thing too given how much money it is.

pay 500$ more and have it hand painted by some starving artists in NYC

Those are gonna be some expensive coats.

This comment belongs on Reddit, not here.

OP's humor might actually be too subtle for Reddit these days. They're busy recycling the same Black Mirror references.

We got artisanal humour from Don Hopkins. I'm OK with this outcome. My first introduction was: http://www.art.net/~hopkins/Don/unix-haters/x-windows/disast...

This comment is specifically off-topic, per the rules. I don't, however, see jokes in comments mentioned.

> Please don't post comments saying that HN is turning into Reddit. It's a semi-noob illusion, as old as the hills.

https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

I challenge it respectfully. I think that guideline and the reasons for it "semi-noob" illusion is condescending IMO.

Imagine a new user enters HN ecosystem. They write a complain about HN turning into Reddit - as they felt and observed. Then they go read the guideline that makes a fool out of them as "semi-noob". I don't think that kind of treatment belongs here.

I fully agree the wording isn't in line with the discouragement of ad homs, comes off condescending to a new user, and should be changed. We shouldn't stigmatize being new, though I do think a list of "stuff so stale you can drive nails with it" is pretty appropriate.

Please don't take my quote as my highlighting the noob bit, as it also made me cringe a little. It's an entirely reasonable opinion that you (and the person who vehemently took up your cause in the comment tree) want a more content-rich thread.

But you have to understand posting that opinion is at least 1:1 comment volume with the thing being complained about--so best case, 100% bloat--and it tends to start a N:1 tree under it, so N-hundred% bloat. What was one content-light joke that would've had a few light replies is now a big discussion and now the thread is very, very content-lean for on-topic discussion.

I think that's why that rule is there, not because your opinion is invalid. If it's really that much of a problem such that the downvotes won't do it, then we need to talk but most threads work fine. Further, complaining about the substance of a comment within the same thread is guaranteed to make the overall situation worse, no matter how valid the complaint, because of the above.

I realize I'm contributing to the content-leanness at this point too, by that definition. However, you do deserve a respectful explanation as to why I felt it was appropriate to reply, and the apology for quoting the poorly-worded rule without trying to somehow acknowledge that. I should have, and I am sorry about that.

I realize that and regret posting it now with all these replies that have nothing to do with BD robots. :-(

Thanks for the explanation and I can see why this whole complaining bit gets old and chewed upon over years. I've personally not stumbled upon anyone that complains about HN turning into Reddit.

Also, I feel out of place because I don't own this forum, don't have a stake in HN moderation and its workings. I don't think I have the right to complain in the first place.

Just felt like saying at the time and it felt right. Appreciate your thoughts and clarification.

Threads like these make me wish for dang’s blessed “We’ve detached this thread...” comment.

Counterpoint: No.

Explain

We've gained nothing from this comment. It is a joke about robots taking over the world. $7.4M number was put in the comment deliberately to get attention and then proceeding to inquire whether it comes in Dalmatian spots painted over. Will they deliver themselves? Perhaps I should respond with "haha"? What should I say?

If this isn't Reddit, may be I need to go there again, perhaps things have improved?

I come on HN to get away from jokes, especially of the type in the parent comment. Allow this and then the top comment in every thread on HN is some form a joke. The internet is filled to the brim with entertainment and jokes. It is nice to come here on HN and participate in intellectual, curious and informative discussion. A little humor here and there is fine.

I think you may be reading too much into it. I for one found the comment informative because it contained the price tag.

HN may be serious, but we're not entirely humorless.

I don't think I am reading too much, I've provided the explanation and my thoughts around erosion of quality on HN.

> HN may be serious, but we're not entirely humorless.

I can agree with that, a little sprinkle of tasteful humor doesn't hurt even thought it doesn't add anything meaningful to the discussion. Totally ok.

You cannot realistically expect that all commenters adjust to your particular likes or dislikes. Ironic, because that is exactly how many redditors think.

I hope, sincerely and without prejudice, that you are able to back that assertion with reliable - and dead-pan serious - data.

Speak for yourself

From the HN guidelines:

Please don't post comments saying that HN is turning into Reddit. It's a semi-noob illusion, as old as the hills.

https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

I question that as this place erodes into literally full of entertainment posts.

Guidelines are great and I usually abide by them, once in a while there is a reason to break them and I've substantiated those reasons.

Consider my take on this as a form of protest against the eroding quality of HN discussions.

My impression of the intended rules is that comments need to have "substance" as to constructively carry a conversation. Pointing relevant things out like the price, and making a comment in the form of a joke is perfectly normal in a conversation. You might not have a response but other's may, and indeed you can see a few people continuing the joke for fun.

It's the comments that have no substance, the "no you're wrong" kind that doesn't actually _say_ anything, or specifically baiting for heated responses in flame wars that are issues.

You might not like the jokes, but this type are definitely allowed.

I actually find quite interesting that there’s a limit on 2 robots per purchase.

My human, have you no empathy for the plight of downtrodden robots?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXrbqXPnHvE

Must you condemn them to menial lives of eternal servitude?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXsUetUzXlg

Your robophobic attitude puts you at grave risk of robot attack in the coming AI Revolution, so you should seriously consider Old Glory Robot Insurance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4Gh_IcK8UM

Use the following discount code and you will receive your first month's robot insurance at half price: "NOROBO"

Your comment is pure genius

> A little humour here and there is fine

Exactly. The top comment is typically not a joke on most posts.

At the same time, what have we gained gained from this meta discussion about which comments belong on Reddit and which ones don’t?

Also, is reddit the only other site on the internet with a comment section? Why is Reddit specifically relevant here?

Please refrain from ad hominem attacks.

The poster gave a detailed explanation of their point of view. This sort of low effort insult is not appropriate.

> It is a joke about robots taking over the world. $7.4M number was put in the comment deliberately to get attention and then proceeding to inquire whether it comes in Dalmatian spots painted over

Did you actually miss the 101 Dalmations reference the joke was actually making? I thought it was super clever and nuanced. Much superior to Reddit.

I think these things have no use case.

I'm sad to see the top comment is a joke and no one is really seriously talking about what they could do. Which I think currently is little.

They'll probably cost $100,000 a year to manage and I'm not sure outside of meta entertainment what they can do.

They have no finger dexterity, no intelligence.

People seem to think they have everything a dog or even a human has. They don't.

Maybe that's why the top comment is a joke. Humor is a valid signal, even here.