Isn’t HN one of the seats of startup or tech culture? If Twitter is that amazingly important, won’t it’s death spawn one or more startups to recapture its position? Is there some fundamental aspect that could be defended by a patent troll? I would think “social inertia” is all that makes it important and that can change on a dime when a cool alternative appears.
Would not be surprised if it’s already there awaiting word of mouth to kick in.