Ask HN: Why was this post flagged – what is the policy on titles?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33907111

by taubek • 4 years ago

1 10 4 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

I don't get it why did this post get flagged https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33892944

- I've used the original title - nature.com is well known site

I've noticed that sometimes when I change the title I get called upon that fact I people tell in comments that I should use the original title. When I leave the original title sometimes I get comments that the title is clickbait.

So what is the best way to post: with original title or change it? I really don't see what would be the problem with "Direct detection of ultralight dark matter bound to the Sun with space quantum sensors" as title.

detaro• 4 years ago

what is the policy on titles?

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

Otherwise please use the original title, unless it is misleading or linkbait; <--

taubek4• 4 years ago

The title didn't seem like a clickbait to me and I used the original one.

brudgers• 4 years ago

The best thing is to consider it feedback on the content.

There's not much meat at the end of the link, only an abstract and a paywall.

DemocracyFTW2• 4 years ago

The title sounds like someone detected dark matter with quantum sensors when the article is in fact about a technique that could perhaps maybe be used to do such a thing.

Maybe people got a bit tired because wormholes, or rather the lack of wormholes.

pfortuny• 4 years ago

You cannot trust nature any more to write non-sensationalist titles. Unbelievable but true.

taubek4• 4 years ago

Man, I didn't know that it has come to that :(

NickRandom2• 4 years ago

Normally it is best to email Dan to ask something like this but based on the comments in the x2944 post many considered it click-bait (either the article or the headline).

Considering that nobody vouched for it - maybe it is, maybe it isn't (I don't have domain knowledge sufficient to judge if it is or isn't).

HTH.

taubek4• 4 years ago

Oh, this is way to unimportant to bother Dan. I was just curious how come that it has happened.

NickRandom2• 4 years ago

Did none of the comments in the original submission not show why (at least some) thought it to be click-baity at the time of you posting this 'Ask HN'? That's not snark btw am just confused about your reasons/motivations were in posting this Ask HN.

Do you feel it an important enough breakthrough that it needs/deserves HN's input and or perusal? If so, again, email DanG and ask for it to be put into the 'second chance pool'.

Again, HTH but bear in mind that my words are just random guesses from some random internet forum user and are worth exactly double what you paid for 'em!

[Edit to Update:] I took a quick look at the original submission and although as said I'm not a domain expert but any news release that links back to

Data availability

The data that support the plots within this paper and other findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

And

Code availability

The code that generated the plots within this paper and other findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Makes it tough to validate the claims made especially when the original paper is behind a paywall. Maybe an internet archive link in the comments section would help so that others can read the full paper rather than just the abstract?

Ask HN: Why was this post flagged – what is the policy on titles?

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