[fisk]

I can see it's a hard problem for lobste.rs to keep the level of discourse high if they let in everyone, but then, yeah, it generally sucks if you would like to add to a conversation and their attitude is "Well, get an invite from one of your friends of course". Because of course I'd be friends with one of the exceedingly modest number of people who have accounts there. It probably seems like a good marketing attitude to them to assume hugeness or the destiny of hugeness, but attitude puts me off somewhat.

But, yes, what you said about not being connected with the whole startup thing which definely draws a certain amount of...amorality to HN.