Somewhat offtopic, are there other stackexchange.com sites that have been set up, and look successful? (I couldn't find a list anywhere)
I'm curious to see what other sites have been made.
Still, the site format is optimized for really narrow verticals. I think they're going to have trouble overcoming the fact that the best example of their knowledge engine's success is really inaccessible to the average user. I'm guessing even a lot of IT guys would have trouble understanding/demonstrating how useful StackExchange might be for a topic completely unrelated to code.
edit: I do think the technology is very interesting, just that non-technical people will have trouble seeing that.
I wish I could think of some cool topics to make one for.
Non-technical people pretty much just have moms4mom.com to look at right now.