This right here? This is why I read the comments first.

I try to challenge myself by reading the article to form an opinion, and then I learn by testing my opinion for faults (using good HN comments). Sometimes I test myself by writing comments.

My recent binge has been trying to understand what's going on when smart people simplify complex topics down to single root causes (causes that often feel like memes to me).

I also enjoy a good rationalisation myself!

works if someone starts by reading the article first, but otherwise that strategy isn't any good either.