It has been observed that as online communities like HN grow, the signal-to-noise ratio falls on a progression that can be summarized as HN -> Reddit -> Digg. As we become more complacent regarding downvotes on well-written comments because we disagree or not downvoting witty fluff, HN slides farther and farther into the noise pit. No one yet knows how to permanently stave off the Diggnation of HN. But, in the mean time, it is worth trying to delay as much as possible.