On HN, there is the effect of clusterisation. People tend to comment and communicate with others on topics in which they have interest or significant knowledge. One set of topics would interest startup founders, another set would interest lonesome tinkerers, a third set would interest artsy types.

To put all those people on one table certainly might help in exchanging different perspectives, but the conversation probably wouldn't have the same depth.

The mode of interaction is totally different in person. In a text discussion I can skim through several pages and find a point that resonates, then respond with something topical/helpful. In person, you're limited to a single stream of conversation (maybe more if you walk around), there's not the same 'wide area scanning' mechanism.

Maybe we need a vim/emacs tickbox option so we know how to seat people.

I enjoy talking to people on the spectrum for their different perspectives, but a whole room sounds overwhelming:D

Socialising with opinionated geeks sounds like the best way to have interesting conversations!

Opinionated may have ment the 'fight for your view till death' kind of folks perhaps. In which case it is being far from fun.

I've definitely run in to those types at meetups. They're there to ruin the event for everyone (although I'm sure they themselves have a good time).

Thankfully it's possible to convince a smaller group to ignore them (don't feed the trolls etc) so you can have interesting conversations.

Nothing interesting about arguing with someone who just defends their point to the death, never listening to anything you say.

You must be under 26-27 years of age? Because that sounds exhausting to me, but I would have enjoyed it a few years ago, probably

Don't belittle people for wanting to speak to people like themselves by acting like this is a sign of immaturity or something that they will grow out of...

> sign of immaturity or something that they will grow out of...

Or perhaps they meant that it’s a sign of youthful vitality and openness that they lost via the detriment of aging?

Ha! 26. I sympathise - but have to admit, I am quite excited for this! I just know there are going to be so many interesting people there, doing so many interesting things!

I'm way older than that but I work from home. I actually just made an account after a long time of lurking because the lack of lunchtime tech rants is starting to feel isolating.

Meatspace Considered Harmful

Exactly the sort of cringe I'd like to avoid!

Carcass cancel culture.