The audience rewards comments that are technical, specific, and contrarian/unique. As opposed to other platforms that engage in sweeping, intersectional generalities and insubstantial dunks.

For me, HN is a reasonably civil, and cerebral community which dwells on mostly important topics.

Agreed! It certainly does seem to elicit thoughtful discourse.

The average person here is older, more experienced, and has more education than any other link aggregator I've found which provides for a richer experience.