That's not really my read at all. As someone in a similar boat, it's really inspiring to see that this place is both a great watercooler and a great equalizer.

That's not really my read at all. As someone in a similar boat, it's really inspiring to see that this place is both a great watercooler and a great equalizer. While some might lack the behind-the-scenes scoop or the battle-hardened wisdom of years of subject matter expertise, their words and ideas stand on their merits and share the company of greats. And in turn, one day, they might become the provider of unexpected insight. And all the while, there are parallel discussions going on where the same people converse and debate about more mundane topics. I find this really refreshing, because it's a reminder that we're more than the sum of our professional accomplishments. We're people from all walks of life -- from students to executives, amateurs to experts, laypeople to decision-makers -- congregating around a shared interest, in ways it rarely happens face-to-face today, and this is what makes HN thrive.