You’re right and good points, the key point of argument is whether good design attracts the community in the first place (that’s my stance) vs. community is sustained since design is good (your point).

Hmm... these things are hard to tell. I’ll give you my personal motivation to stay here and that’s unquestionably the design. I never got hooked on Slashdot because that site was an eye sore (sorry!).

Usually, good design fades in the background when it’s good. So we give the credit to other things.