That is my current annoyance. I don't know where it started, but since a few weeks 'this' seems to be turning up in more and more places. I really can't parse it, but I think it means agreement with the previous comment, sort of like an upvote.
Best I can figure, people just saying "This" mean "I agree with your above point, and I would like to see it expressed more often. Let me lend my support to you in spreading your ideas."
That is my current annoyance. I don't know where it started, but since a few weeks 'this' seems to be turning up in more and more places. I really can't parse it, but I think it means agreement with the previous comment, sort of like an upvote.
It bugs the hell out of me.
Random example: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=875816