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Thoughts on Public Speaking (2014)

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Page preview · captured 2026-07-20

Resurfaced independently across 4 calendar years, with breakout response in 2 of them.

submissions
9
submitters
9
observed span
2014–2017
peak thread · 106 comments
371 pts
latest 20+ return · 2017-06-07
125 pts

Submission timeline

2007–2026

One slot for every year since HN launched. Height is that year's peak points; orange marks a 100+ point or 50+ comment breakout. Select a bar to open its strongest thread.

First comments on top threads

HN comment order

Here's two pieces of public speaking advice nobody will tell you about, but actually work. 1) Beta-blockers. Ask your doctor. 2) Alcohol. Obviously, be careful with this. :) But having a drink really will take the edge off. This works better when giving a toast as a best man than it does at work. It could probably work at a conference too. Other than this, for a big talk or pitch, I just practice until I'm blue in the face…

Great site with some good advice. I particularly like this part: "Talks are Entertainment - Public speaking's dirty little secret." The best thing I learned for giving a good talk, and what I tell myself every time, is that it's story time for adults. Think back to a young age, and how you learned all those morals with fables and stories. Want to give a good talk? Make it a good story with wit and anecdotes. Be Garrison Keillor up…

Great ressources for tackling public speaking. Though it misses an important part I believe: behaviour and how to express yourself while public speaking.

The first top-level comment from each of the four biggest threads, in HN’s own order. Excerpts are shortened; open a comment for full context.

Breakout years
2

100+ points or 50+ comments

Total points
508

reference only — not used in Hall rules or ranking

Total comments
176

reference only — not used in Hall rules or ranking

Every submission

DateTitle as submittedByPointsComments
2014-01-14Public speaking is toughFirst breakout · Best threadFredericJ371106
2014-01-15Thoughts on public speaking by Zach Holmanmalditojavi40
2014-01-16Public Speaking Advicebevacqua31
2014-10-09Speaking.iohumpt10
2015-03-10Tips for Public Speakinggabamnml10
2015-07-07Thoughts on public speaking by Zach Holmanarunc10
2015-08-19Improve Public Speaking Abilities with Zach Holman (GitHub)gibsjose10
2016-03-13Because “imagine everyone's naked” is terrible advicesumnulu10
2017-06-07Thoughts on Public Speaking (2014)Hall induction · Latest 20+ point returnmadmax10812569