I don't think there is significant influence from cliques. Things just stream down the new page too guickly, in part from lots of posts (as noted by benologist)

I don't think there is significant influence from cliques. Things just stream down the new page too guickly, in part from lots of posts (as noted by benologist), and in part because it's annoyingly frustrating to try to skim downstream before the infamous HN Expired Link (which Hubski seems to have solved). As for too many posts, that's not much of a problem, you can skim pretty quickly (notwithstanding expired links). Crap has its own smell and is easily avoided.