I'd just like to say that I don't like the idea of limiting people just because of low karma or whatever. A lot of people do get downvoted just for having ideas that don't "go with the group" even though they're well thought out.
Also, HN has dramatically increased in quality over the past 6-10 months. It's been very noticeable for someone who's been here for 4 years.
Can HN be an echo chamber? Yes, at times. But much less than other online fora that I've participated in (most Reddits are 1000x worse, for example)
Does the site design itself leave a bit to be desired? Maybe, but I've grown quite fond of it.
And what exactly "empty promises" are you talking about?
dang specifically has the patience of a saint.