I think that that will work in the short term, but unless you're very proactive about recruiting new blood your userbase is just going to dwindle away.

It's true that HN has gotten more crowded with more noise, but it is still the best there is. I won't be going anywhere.

I am constantly amazed at the thoughtful comments from people who are informed on a subject and take their time to layout a cogent argument. This makes it worthwhile to spend some time scanning more and more other stuff. I am getting to be quite a speed reader in this place.

HN will be just fine as long as Dang (and the other guy) spend so much energy here.

I swear I read a comment exactly like this on Reddit, Digg, and Slashdot before they lost that quality.

Many discussions here turn argumentative but still retain their civility. Many posters will apologize and further clarify their ideas if anyone complains for the slightest reason. While not every discussion is of this level, there are many that are. The forums that I have personally followed as they went to hell showed very little of this even in their heyday.

We also have our own form of Kryptonite, the HN front page list of discussions. Many of the people that get kicks stirring up trouble would not understand or care to read this stuff.