Alcohol is harmful, but I have a glass of wine or whiskey from time to time. HN is my glass of whiskey.
I create an account, and delete it once I start feeling invested. If I can downvote people, I've probably ridden that account too long.
Once I start seeing the number next to my name and think "I should make that number bigger! This is fun!" then I've hit the point that I'm too invested. I'm letting the number make decisions, not me.
Then I delete it. I'll leave it deleted until I find a comment I simply cannot not respond to, and deal with being a green text person again for awhile. I'll get irritated at being blocked by default for most folks, and engage less.
It helps me self-moderate a slightly toxic experience so it's something I enjoy without it becoming a problem.
I create an account, and delete it once I start feeling invested. If I can downvote people, I've probably ridden that account too long.
Once I start seeing the number next to my name and think "I should make that number bigger! This is fun!" then I've hit the point that I'm too invested. I'm letting the number make decisions, not me.
Then I delete it. I'll leave it deleted until I find a comment I simply cannot not respond to, and deal with being a green text person again for awhile. I'll get irritated at being blocked by default for most folks, and engage less.
It helps me self-moderate a slightly toxic experience so it's something I enjoy without it becoming a problem.