It could mater if the system of ranking on HN is being gamed here, like how the US Military has IP addresses that change the ranking of Reddit posts.

http://blog.reddit.com/2013/05/get-ready-for-global-reddit-m... - look at the "most addicted city".

Most addicted city is apparently Eglin Air Force Base. But then how did you conclude that they were changing the rankings of Reddit posts?

i didn't. i am just trying to explain what the original poster was referring to. i would guess that they're making some implication / assumption about organized voting. but that's just a guess.

i thought maybe it would help you, but i get the impression you're more interested in being pedantic for internet points... \me shrugs, walks away.

Because it seems that most of these people are making troll comments, like yours, although that's an even more subjective judgement. Anyway, it's important to detect overt abuse of the community, because in some cases, things can be done to preserve the community.