Engineers tend to have a problem solving demeanor towards novelty, which is excellent for finding the problem with things.

Showing a room full of problem solvers an unfinished problem that lacks critical supporting evidence will no doubt elicit a general response in the skeptical-to-cynical range.

I would respectfully argue that is is a health and normal response given the audience, and should be an expected bias on HN.

This is a “show me the evidence don’t tell me about the possibilities” crowd.

I for one and deeply excited if the data proves out, but my bias is “wait and see.” This could be a massive leap towards proof it will work.