Perhaps the questions to ask are: 0. Who aren't around HN anymore, and for what reason(s)? 1. Who stuck around HN for a long time, and for what reason(s)? 2.

Perhaps the questions to ask are: 0. Who aren't around HN anymore, and for what reason(s)? 1. Who stuck around HN for a long time, and for what reason(s)? 2. Who joined HN recently and how did they find out about it? 3. Where are 0. people at now? I think forums fall either of 6 ways: A. To uncivilized behavior B. To continual witch hunt C. Arbitrary, immature, clique moderation D. To lack of contribution through active participation and content creation E. To egotistical participants who push others aside: individuals who disagree loudly, constantly, and proclaim they are always right while lacking an ability to recognize ideas that weren't theirs F. To mediocrity: someone signs up to HN because they saw it on the news, not because they're applying to YC or work in some obscure, high-bar-to-entry subject matter expertise field