> anything on advanced math/physics/logic will usually get traction (probably because it makes people feel smart, even though it's not accessible to like 99%)

> anything on advanced math/physics/logic will usually get traction (probably because it makes people feel smart, even though it's not accessible to like 99%) I think these posts are popular because they generate meaningful discussion. More often than not, I learn more from the comments than I do from the article itself, because people will talk about their own experiences, point to resources that helped them, etc.. I don't see this as a bad thing at all--it's one of the primary reasons I visit HN. Personally, I couldn't care less about the entrepreneurship side of HN. But that's the beauty of sites like this--everyone upvotes what they're interested, and more than one topic can occupy the front page at once. You click on what you like to read, I'll click on what I like to read. It's great!