The tone is off but I think there is something to the point eecks makes.
Remember that famous 'idlewords article[0]? I recall it making some circles around HN and the widely held conclusion was that free successful services are likely to disappear at a moment's notice, while paid successful services are unlikely to do so. Of course it is not true - the reason why is obvious when you've lived in the same apartment for more than few years and noticed how often shops - small and big - open up, and then close down. No service is forever. Rare are those who last more than few years.
But even if it's wrong, this argument about paid stuff having significantly longer lifespan was widely repeated, and was believed by many.
Who says that it being paid did not cause it to have a significantly longer lifespan? I can't even imagine a magazine like this being put out for free.
Remember that famous 'idlewords article[0]? I recall it making some circles around HN and the widely held conclusion was that free successful services are likely to disappear at a moment's notice, while paid successful services are unlikely to do so. Of course it is not true - the reason why is obvious when you've lived in the same apartment for more than few years and noticed how often shops - small and big - open up, and then close down. No service is forever. Rare are those who last more than few years.
But even if it's wrong, this argument about paid stuff having significantly longer lifespan was widely repeated, and was believed by many.
[0] - https://blog.pinboard.in/2011/12/don_t_be_a_free_user/