[cs702]

The specific set of rules and mechanics that currently regulate HN are not the key to its success. The main reason HN works, in my view, is because Y Combinator TRULY CARES about having the most relevant and interesting submissions and comments float to the top.

HN's rules and mechanics (e.g., requiring a minimum karma to downvote) are a CONSEQUENCE of these priorities. These rules and mechanics have evolved in lots of ways from day one, and will likely continue to evolve, forever, as HN moderators do their best to prevent them from being gamed.

Unlike many other discussion-oriented websites with user-generated content, HN's main priority has NEVER been to reach a greater audience or to grow web traffic at the expense of quality. The main priority has always been high-quality content. As far as I can tell, HN moderators would eagerly accept a narrower audience in exchange for better content any day.

[HeyLaughingBoy]

N moderators would eagerly accept a narrower audience in exchange for better content

So would many of the readers & commenters. I almost never downvote because I disagree with something, but I will almost always downvote someone who's being rude, or otherwise uncivil or even sometimes, just making unfunny "jokes."

I like the community and the intent behind it. That's worth working to protect.

[gxs]

Great response and agree wholeheartedly.

Amazing the results you can get when you optimize for something other than revenue/number of users/page views/reach/etc.

[cs702]

Yes, exactly: HN is optimizing for something other than the usual, easily measurable metrics of "success." Well put.