Is Show HN Dead? No, but It's Drowning
A data-driven analysis suggests that Show HN, a long-standing Hacker News feature, is "drowning" under an exploding volume of submissions and declining engagement. This post ignited a fiery debate within the HN community, as many attribute the decline to the proliferation of low-effort, AI-generated, or "vibe coded" projects. The discussion highlights the community's struggle to adapt to the changing landscape of software development and maintain the quality of shared discourse.
The Lowdown
The article "Is Show HN Dead? No, but It's Drowning" by Arthur Cnops presents a quantitative look at the Hacker News "Show HN" section, concluding that while not literally dead, it is severely impacted by a surge in submissions and a corresponding drop in visibility and discussion. The author links these trends to the broader challenges faced by independent developers, dubbing it the "Sideprocalypse."
Key findings from the analysis include:
- Volume Explosion: There has been a significant increase in the number of Show HN posts, both in absolute terms and as a proportion of all Hacker News stories.
- Growing Graveyard: The percentage of Show HN posts that receive only one point has steadily worsened over time, now significantly higher than regular submissions, suggesting a decrease in overall interest or quality.
- Shrinking Visibility: The estimated time a Show HN post remains on the first page during peak hours has drastically reduced, making it harder for projects to gain initial traction.
- Dwindling Discussion: The average number of comments per Show HN post has seen a noticeable decline.
Cnops argues that the overwhelming "noise" makes it exceptionally difficult for innovative or well-crafted projects to stand out and generate meaningful discussion. The article implicitly challenges Hacker News to find ways to highlight quality content and preserve its reputation as a forum for valuable tech discourse.
The Gossip
AI's Algorithmic Assault on Authenticity
The dominant theme in the comments is the impact of AI on Show HN's quality. Many users blame the rise of AI-generated or "vibe coded" projects for the decline, arguing that these low-effort submissions lack depth, originality, and the thoughtful human input that once characterized Show HN. While some acknowledge AI's role in democratizing programming, others lament the loss of genuine craftsmanship and propose stricter moderation or new categories like "AI Show HN" to filter out what they term "slop."
The Fading Flame of Indie Devs
Commenters expressed concern about the implications for independent developers and the community's traditional values. Many feel that the increased volume, largely due to easily-produced AI-assisted projects, stifles the visibility of thoughtful, human-crafted solutions. Some shared contrasting experiences: one user found significant commercial success despite a quiet Show HN reception, while another found essential encouragement and self-confidence through their Show HN. Concerns were also raised about the potential "death of open source" communities and HN's niche audience being overwhelmed.
Hacking a Solution for Show HN's Future
The community actively brainstormed solutions to address Show HN's current challenges and restore its original purpose. Suggestions included creating dedicated categories like "AI Show HN" or even a humorous "Slop HN," implementing stricter moderation to ban low-quality submissions, or a complete overhaul of how projects are curated. Other ideas involved strategic timing of posts (e.g., weekends for more attention), fostering a culture of downvoting low-effort content, and potentially separating personal blog-style posts from product showcases.