Brand equity is a powerful and measurable force, and it must be earned. If Apple were to release a new tablet, everyone would listen. The same is not true of the numerous other tablets being released. Apple earned this reputation by delivering a (series of) remarkable product(s).

This is similar to my original point, but not quite the same. pg's essays are great reads, and whenever a new one is submitted I (along with most HNers) will read it, just because of the source. I trust that the essays are worth my time, because that's what my previous experience with pg's essays is. The difference is that I don't see how the HN community is gaining much additional value from recycling content.