I've wondered about that as well -- and it is strange to me. Hackers are widely-known for their impish pranks. And even when humor is used in the service of a point, that comment is usually voted down.
I know we don't want the place to turn into Reddit or, worse, Digg, but a little humor actually improves my thought processes and analytical skills.
But every community has its culture. HN is no exception.
To further explore it, in my experience of 15 years in the tech industry or its outskirts, I think a small but vocal minority of tech types are humor-impaired, and that often has an over-large impact on any tech-oriented site.
I know we don't want the place to turn into Reddit or, worse, Digg, but a little humor actually improves my thought processes and analytical skills.
But every community has its culture. HN is no exception.
To further explore it, in my experience of 15 years in the tech industry or its outskirts, I think a small but vocal minority of tech types are humor-impaired, and that often has an over-large impact on any tech-oriented site.
But who knows? I'm just spouting off ideas.