I've done that at least 40,000 times. This isn't a linear ordering!

There are many principles, which we're discovering together, around curious conversation. I went into this one in detail because I think it's interesting.

Btw, if you see a post that ought to have been moderated but hasn't been—for example, a "worthless, flame-inducing" one—the likeliest explanation is that we didn't see it. You can help by flagging it or emailing us at hn@ycombinator.com.