It really is a problem. Right now we're at a moment in HN history in which is possible to get a submission on the FP by dumb luck, but it's better to have a cou

It really is a problem. Right now we're at a moment in HN history in which is possible to get a submission on the FP by dumb luck, but it's better to have a couple friends take a look and vote right away (not endorsing spamming--just saying that drawing attention to your submission during that critical few minute window makes a big difference). As HN grows, however, this will change: it will be absolutely required for you to get your friends to upvote in that critical window to have any chance of hitting the FP. That's not a good road to go down, so I think it's definitely time to adjust the way it works.