Yay #2: an actually interesting programming-related article on HN. These get rarer every day, losing their place to gossips about what Snowden remarked following some or another NSA official's remarks about Snowden's even earlier remarks.
On the one hand, I agree with your yay #2(and your yay#1, of course. TextBlob looks great). I think you're right. I have many venues to discuss NSA issues and few venues to discuss startup/programming stuff. I like having a venue that is typically devoted to such stuff.
On the other hand, I'm not sure that saying "this isn't about Snowden" on tech-related articles that don't involve Snowden is the solution. Why bring him into the conversation when we're talking about Python?
Did you look at https://lobste.rs/ ?
I also feel programming stuff is depleting on HN, however I can relate to all the talk about Snowden on a forum like HN though.
I'd love an invite if you happen to have one. Contact info in my profile.
Just as words of encouragement for more programming-related content. I'm venting off steam, really. In the past few weeks I've been spending more time on /r/programming than on HN, something I could not imagine a year ago.
Honestly it's frustrating to me that a meta-discussion like this is necessary here. I think you're right, I just wish I didn't have to say it.