New accounts on HN 10x more likely to use em-dashes
marginalia.nu
February 25, 2026
1 min read
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71/100
Summary
New accounts on Hacker News are ten times more likely to use EM-dashes. An increase in bot activity has led to a noticeable rise in nonsensical posts and glitches among user accounts.
Key Takeaways
- Comments from newly registered accounts on Hacker News are nearly 10 times more likely to use em-dashes and other symbols compared to established accounts (17.47% vs 1.83%).
- Newly registered accounts on Hacker News are more likely to mention AI and LLMs in their comments (18.67% vs 11.8%).
- The analysis was based on a sample size of about 700 comments from both newly registered and established accounts.
- There is a significant statistical difference in the usage patterns of newly registered accounts compared to established users on Hacker News.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- The discussion highlights the importance of typographical conventions, showcasing how AI's influence can lead to a loss of personal writing style and expression.
Concerns
- The fear of being flagged as AI-generated has led to a decline in the use of em-dashes, which undermines good writing practices and personal expression.
- There's a growing concern that AI-generated text is becoming formulaic, stripping away individuality and creativity in writing.