No. 1Live
Why GNU grep is Fast
lists.freebsd.org · Learning & ideas
90.1durability100% evidence confidence
Strongest evidenceshare of maximum
Sustained discussion10.0/10
Independent discovery19.9/20
Open evidence →
A living memory of Hacker News
Great links don't trend.
They return.
Explore the ideas HN keeps rediscovering—ranked by independent, year-adjusted evidence rather than one lucky front-page run.
94.2durability
2008
2011
2015
2020
2023
2026
Different people.
Different years.
Same good idea.
20years of HN history
Year-relativetraction, without point inflation
Explainableevery ranking component visible
The durable canon
Ideas with a long half-life
No. 2Live
Can’t send email more than 500 miles (2002)
web.mit.edu · Web & internet
89.4durability100% evidence confidence
Strongest evidenceshare of maximum
Sustained discussion10.0/10
Generational reach19.6/20
Open evidence →
No. 3Live
Standard Ebooks
standardebooks.org · Learning & ideas
89.2durability100% evidence confidence
Strongest evidenceshare of maximum
Repeat traction30.0/30
Sustained discussion10.0/10
Open evidence →
Time machine
What did HN care about then?
Foundations
Startups · Lisp · Databases
The web matures
JavaScript · Privacy · Distributed systems
Tools become culture
Rust · Deep learning · Indie software
Systems under stress
Remote work · Infrastructure · Biotech
Agents arrive
AI agents · Local-first · Energy
Six ways in
Browse by character, not just rank
01
Forgotten classics
Enduring links that have gone quiet.
Explore →02Newly resurfaced
Old ideas finding a fresh audience.
Explore →03Debate magnets
A transparent controversy proxy.
Explore →04Comment-heavy
Far more discussion than peers.
Explore →05Most persistent
Useful across many HN generations.
Explore →06Hidden gems
Durable evidence without a giant peak.
Explore →Your HN
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