You are right that it isn't exactly the Dunbar number. In a forum with a normal participation curve (what percentages of users have what activity level) the bre

You are right that it isn't exactly the Dunbar number. In a forum with a normal participation curve (what percentages of users have what activity level) the breakdown is around 300. In forums where everyone participates actively it breaks down a lot sooner. Lurkers are basically disregarded. On a site like Hacker News where I don't recognize many posters at all, you are right, it doesn't really matter. Except that whatever "culture" HN is aiming for might be diluted.