[CharlesW]

A couple thoughts:

(1) I don't recommend focusing disproportionately on one signal. They'll change, and are incredibly easy to optimize for. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Signs_of_AI_writing

(2) I do recommend taking one minute to dash a note off to [e-mail] if you see suspicious patterns. Dang and our other intrepid mods are preturnatually responsive, and appear to appreciate the extra eyeballs on the problem.

[5o1ecist]

> minute to dash a note

I support this dashing recommendation.

[marginalia_nu]

I have sent them an email a few days ago about the state of /noobcomments.

This wasn't really a intended as an "wow, dang is sure sleeping on the job", more than an interesting observation on the new bot ecosystem.

I also feel like there's a missing discussion about the comment quality on HN lately. It feels like it's dropped like crazy. Wanted to see if I could find some hard data to show I haven't gone full Terry Davis.

[bakugo]

Is there even an incentive to optimize for such signals, though? Em-dashes have been a known indicator of AI-generated text for a good while, and are still extremely prevalent. While someone who doesn't like AI slop and knows and what to look out for will notice and call out obvious AI comments, the unfortunate truth is that the majority of people simply cannot tell, and even among those who can, many don't care.

Obvious AI-generated posts and articles make it to the front page on a daily basis, and I get the impression that neither the average user nor the moderation team see that as a problem at all anymore.

[yorwba]

The mods do care, but you have to email them or they won't necessarily notice.