I can't remember where I've seen it, but there was a site or forum focused on user-generated content I used to frequent way back which had the rule that you could not submit new stuff before being registered for a few days and having posted at least n comments. This kind of forced you to be part of the community, browse existing content and get yourself accustomed to the way the site worked before it allowed you to actually contribute. I found that to be a really good idea, to be honest, but I haven't seen anything like this again. And this is also coming from someone who has joined Hubski only a little more than an hour ago. So do it.
n comments encourages spam. It's and idea that has been discussed in the past and it didn't get much traction. People use hubski in many different ways, some people almost never comment but post some interesting content, some people start with a lot of content and get drawn into commenting later.
Welcome, fellow newb! I think If this is inplemented, It'll be interesting to see if it creates a more "hive-minded " community, which I think would mean more friendly discussion with a lot in common,
but at the same time maybe put us at risk of circle jerk.
Welcome caelum, it's awesome to see a new user dig in so quick and offer something good, I know I'm still adjusting to this day. I feel that Hubski has a pretty solid buffer against any sort of "behavioral problems" like hivemind and circlejerking. The risk is higher when a new wave of users is large enough to immediately assimilate with themselves and the "people here first" would have no power to show what Hubski truly is-- or was, prior to the new wave. Imagine Columbus stumbling on a much more
advanced civilization and trying to pull the same shit. With numbers big enough he'd succeed, because this "advanced" community is still relatively small in population. By giving some time for a new wave to simply experience Hubski prior to "settling," they're encouraged (forced really) to acknowledge the status of the community before the wave. This wouldn't force them to mimic us because the closest thing we have to a hivemind is a handful of common interests, and I know first-hand how easy it is to introduce something pretty much new to the community-- it is not shunned or ignored, it's taken like a fresh perspective and learning experience, just like it should be. A new user would simply be more aware that this is a community to spark trade with, not try to invade.