HN had both the cultural and financial backing and motivation for a core group to keep the site on target day after day in the early days. And it grew slowly.

HN had both the cultural and financial backing and motivation for a core group to keep the site on target day after day in the early days. And it grew slowly. Most communities that don't make it start in a blaze of glory then the curators/moderators tire of keeping that fire blazing day after day.