So how come there isn't a black bar at the top of hackernews despite the fact there's a 'has died' article on the front page? Not important enough? Not in a tech field?
Why would there be? It's an obscure author with a best seller from 30 years ago that has nothing at all to do with HN's usual topics. No idea why this is on HN as it doesn't seem to be relevant to tech or general intellectual curiosity.
I think Bly fits with 'general intellectual curiosity'. Bly was the father of a movement that is still going on. Although not politically fashionable, there is a strong desire among young men for discussion about manhood.
I don't think there's a flow chart for it
It's literally whomever the mods think deserves it, gets it.