[joh6nn]

Ok, but to what end? Is there some karma-to-dollars pipeline that I don't know about? There a bunch of other platforms that superficially seem like much softer targets with more obvious payoffs.

Like, if we put it in the classic context of

1. Farm Karma

2. ?

3. Profit!

I'm not clear on step 2. What's step 2

And of course that pre-supposes malice (or at least greed), which is in violation of Hanlon's Razor.

[bibinou]

Coincidentally, Reddit (YC05) IPO'ed in March so I'm sure you'll find plenty of analysis on that.

Gallowboob reportedly got paid <https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/people/gallowboob>.

It used to be called Curation, Marketing, or Expert Advice but it's been algorithmified to death.

[joh6nn]

Sorry, I don't understand the point you're making here. Are you saying that karma farming on HN leads to successful IPOs? Or are you saying that karma farming in general can be profitable? Because both of those are what I was trying to speak to when I said that I feel like there are much softer targets than HN: it seems much easier to me to profit from karma farming on other platforms than it would be here. Maybe I'm just not engaged enough and/or naive, but I don't think of even high-karma users on HN as being Influencers. Like, I don't see myself spending money on something specifically because tptacek endorsed it.

On Instagram, it makes sense to me:

1. I farm for likes and karma

2. I start endorsing low value crap from whatever fad is trending this hour

3. Profit

On HN, I have no idea what step 2 is: what is the middle step between farming and profit that doesn't involve, like, founding a startup? What's the specific tactic on this platform?