It’s very possible to give constructive, honest feedback without being a jerk. It’s that constructive feedback that makes it worth posting here.

On the other hand, I don’t think the condescension or arrogance that’s fairly common on this site improves it at all, no.

I would agree with that. I've lurked here for a long time and it seems that constructive feedback gets upvoted a lot less than useless posts like "what's the point in this?".

Agreed. Posting something here will almost always force you to up your game, but there is an incredible amount of callousness in the commentariat on HN.

Many people are not yet skilled at giving feedback.

Many will improve, with guidance.

Those that don’t will blunder along, wondering why they can’t make it in the world.

Maybe we need to figure out how to give feedback to people giving feedback. And that feedback will need to be structured such that it doesn't just get dismissed immediately.

"useless posts like "what's the point in this?"."

They are not pointless, those posts tell, that a clear explanation is missing.

Most people simply do not read a lot and in detail. If they don't get it after some seconds looking at things, they will walk away. And look at the next thing.

Summarizing a big novel project in simple words surely is hard, but very important.

I was referring to the many times a project doesn't resonate with the user specifically and they equate that with it being a useless endeavour.

No, adults are usually capable of providing constructive feedback without being harsh. We generally learned that somewhere in our mid teens.

This ‘criticize people to death’ shit should embarrass everyone here. We can be better.

FWIW I never posted on Show HN because I know what assholes people are here. The app is going strong anyways so nothing of value was lost.