> absurdities like "show HN: I built a rust backend with an elixir front-end that's actually running doom in pdf hosted on a distributed server composed of a network of the microchips in a Saudi camel herd, get fucked nerds"
You leaned too far into the joke and it undermined the point. There’re roughly three kinds of Show HN:
1. “I made this product to solve this need I perceived. I hope it does well and makes me money. Come check it out.”
2. “I had this insane idea which is funny just from the description and made it as an experiment. Let me share what was interesting about it. Oh, and here’s the code.”
3. “I made this AI NFT Data Harvesting scam and think everyone is too stupid to notice this isn’t a real product filled with fake reviews. Come click this link from this account with 80% flagged comments.”
What you described seems closer to 2 than anything else. There’s nothing wrong with those. They stimulate curiosity, which is HN’s goal.
You leaned too far into the joke and it undermined the point. There’re roughly three kinds of Show HN:
1. “I made this product to solve this need I perceived. I hope it does well and makes me money. Come check it out.”
2. “I had this insane idea which is funny just from the description and made it as an experiment. Let me share what was interesting about it. Oh, and here’s the code.”
3. “I made this AI NFT Data Harvesting scam and think everyone is too stupid to notice this isn’t a real product filled with fake reviews. Come click this link from this account with 80% flagged comments.”
What you described seems closer to 2 than anything else. There’s nothing wrong with those. They stimulate curiosity, which is HN’s goal.