The value of HN to YCombinator is keeping a large community of plugged-in and knowledgeable people on-tap. If there were any hint of commercializing HN, it would be clear as day that Ycombinator was now run by idiots. Everyone would flee faster than a jackrabbit from a pack of wolves.
HN is too niche to milk for profitability like Reddit. Only relatively technical people hang out here and will probably move to, or setup, an alternative if HN gets sold out.
Re:Reddit’s disrespectful design
by Atlas-Marbles on Saturday June 26, 2021 @03:57PM
(#27645266)
"too niche...Only relatively technical people hang out here"
Sounds like early reddit.
As long as HN doesnt focus on pics, gifs and TikTok garbage, it's probably safe from those who have a 1 millisecond attention span.
Re:Reddit’s disrespectful design
by AbrahamParangi on Saturday June 26, 2021 @06:07PM
(#27646379)
If I could buy equity in HN I would do it in a heartbeat.
Re:Reddit’s disrespectful design
by OrangeMusic on Monday June 28, 2021 @09:11AM
(#27661468)
If that happens, let's use Usenet?
I'm a very early and long term user, and I slowly moved away after "the" investment.
HN on the other hand is still safe, as the huge success of YC and their aim of gathering talent and readers gives more financial freedom. What if some investor now invests in HN, gathers a board, assigns a CEO with the profitability and "growth" target? I'm afraid to ask this, but the same could happen.