Noticed that the number of new users on HN has skyrocketed since December 2022. In January 2023, the number exceeded 40k, whereas before that it was only around 5000.
https://hackernews-insight.vercel.app/user-analysis
At the beginning of every new term in school there is a flood of users so I'm sure that is some of it.
People who think/thought they could build rep using chatGPT is probably a minor thing.
Mostly though, I have come to the personal conclusion that when some people want to ask a question, they create a throwaway account to avoid being review bombed.
There are biannual spikes because of people applying to YC. (We use the same account system for HN and other YC offerings.) As far as I know, that's what this is.
People who think/thought they could build rep using chatGPT is probably a minor thing.
Mostly though, I have come to the personal conclusion that when some people want to ask a question, they create a throwaway account to avoid being review bombed.