I don't know what it is, but posts like this make me feel like HN is waking up and realizing the world isn't just 'social networks for dogs', and that there are real social problems out there needing to be fixed. There is a trend happening.

This post is powerful because it's recognition. The act was powerful because it was recognition, which then led to real action.

If judging by recent posts on HN, hopefully posts like this lead to more action. I want to think that this will lead to more smart thinkers here spending time to use technology do some sort of action. Even if just like the author, people think it's just one drop in the bucket unsure of any real impact, at some point we might actually begin to fill this bucket. Eventually sandwiches will turn into code. We need more of this.