> Otherwise, I think of bitcoin as part of why Stacker News works, rather than what Stacker News is.

i like the way you phrased that

Edit: saying SN is awesome "because bitcoin," doesnt really capture its essence

You may also have heard me say that. There’s a difference between interpersonal communication and branding, though. 

If the person I’m talking to already gets bitcoin, then I’ll certainly bring that up. Otherwise, I think of bitcoin as part of why Stacker News works, rather than what Stacker News is. 

Undisciplined

AskSN

how do you describe SN to people?

unschooled

i like that because it can segue into both an important discussion about censorship and zapping, and it's easy to grasp quickly.
i heard someone else say it before, but there's something somewhat off-putting about describing one company by comparing it to another one. 