You raise an interesting point. I kind of like the ability to toss in your two cents in this case, where a link to the article is provided, but I'm interested to hear arguments banning the ability to create your own title.
I'm interested to hear arguments banning the ability to create your own title.
I did not mention I want to ban the ability to create your own title.
There are legitimate reasons to create your own title:
  • Article title is too long
  • Article has no title
  • Article title can't be parsed
  • Article title is bad (not descriptive enough; wrong etc.)
  • ... ???
The HN guidelines also mention this regarding not using the original title:
If the title contains a gratuitous number or number + adjective, we'd appreciate it if you'd crop it. E.g. translate "10 Ways To Do X" to "How To Do X," and "14 Amazing Ys" to "Ys." Exception: when the number is meaningful, e.g. "The 5 Platonic Solids."
However:
Otherwise please use the original title, unless it is misleading or linkbait; don't editorialize.
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