[ibagrak]

I feel like people who deny the business model of app.net are trying to refute the existence and success of HBO. You don't need to operate at the scale of Facebook, Twitter or cable networks to be successful, mainly because your criteria for success are very different with a pay-for, ad-free product.

Moreover I don't need to be a victim of guns (sorry for referring to a lightning rod of an issue, but bare with me) to advocate gun control. Same way you don't have to be a developer victimized by Twitter and Facebook to think that there might be a better way.

And for the record, I did put my money where my mouth is.

[aaronbrethorst]

HBO's success doesn't depend on my friends also watching HBO.

[alexboots]

But you are much more likely to pay for HBO if all your friends watch it and talk about the shows.