I don't think we have the full picture over how these things work, and I believe HN's official policy is that the details are deliberately vague to stop front-p

I don't think we have the full picture over how these things work, and I believe HN's official policy is that the details are deliberately vague to stop front-page gaming. For example, we know that mods have a role in curating the front page, but we don't know enough of the details to simulate the mechanics.