I thought AI-generated content would making online discussion worse (which it definitely does on some platforms), but I haven’t noticed a meaningful drop in the quality of Hacker News posts or comments. Have you?
It's the non-generated banter about AI that makes discussion worse, because it contains a lot of elements like irreproducible personal anecdotes, unverifiable conjectures, guesses about the future and gut feeling beliefs.
As far as comments are concerned, it's hard to establish causality but I have noticed being downvoted more often and lazier comments around 2022. But this could also be downstream of a more politicized climate. AI as a topic is also inherently controversial and divisive. People have strong opinions on either side of the debate.
It is has gotten far far worse. A new HN rule was added to refrain from AI generated comments and titles.
The "Show HN" is now full of low quality slop which just most of them breaks the guidelines and it is now "allowed" to link farm (usually with AI) and post + comment here about AI all day long.
While it was worse earlier this year, I still see a lot of ns;nt in /new, people looking to make money or get users for skinned or vibed products
https://blog.kinglycrow.com/no-skill-no-taste/
The "Show HN" is now full of low quality slop which just most of them breaks the guidelines and it is now "allowed" to link farm (usually with AI) and post + comment here about AI all day long.