50 likes and 2 comments over an hour seems like too little engagement to be second on the list. Are posts about Sam effectively sticked on HN? Is there any more information on how the front page works?
This, and HN simply working based on an upvote algorithm, seems much more plausible than there being some kind of conspiracy to amplify Sam's posts.
Most likely they also have a different weight mechanic.
this place can exist elsewhere, too. Upvotes should be for quality, not servitude.