Comment on Ask PG: Why don’t you open source HN?parentComments−brudgers13yThe third big reason:(c) The standard complaints don't matter because they don't impact growth.There's a message in that.It is, "Ship."−subsystem13yI would say the look and name of HN do impact growth in certain "demographics". That might even be the idea.−brudgers13yIn that vein, discouraging memes, insider jokes, meanness, snark, and flamewars, also impact growth.−subsystem13yOf course, but it can also be engaging. It all depends on what kind of growth you want. For the size of the reader base, it's not very common to see people "on the team" comment something here on HN once the discussion turns opinionated.−brudgers13yIt can be engaging when it is engaging. However, the median meme, etc. of the set of all internet discussions is not.
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The third big reason:
(c) The standard complaints don't matter because they don't impact growth.
There's a message in that.
It is, "Ship."
I would say the look and name of HN do impact growth in certain "demographics". That might even be the idea.
In that vein, discouraging memes, insider jokes, meanness, snark, and flamewars, also impact growth.
Of course, but it can also be engaging. It all depends on what kind of growth you want. For the size of the reader base, it's not very common to see people "on the team" comment something here on HN once the discussion turns opinionated.
It can be engaging when it is engaging. However, the median meme, etc. of the set of all internet discussions is not.