I found the above linked article while rereading this article:

http://www.overcomingbias.com/2007/03/superstimuli_an.html

But I'm not sure of it's veracity. And the site seems to have an agenda. But there are definitely parallels.

Good call. I've found that I'm using Hacker News a lot more since the downturn - perhaps a link between uncertainty and a desire for information. I'm wondering if this could be a factor in Hacker New's recent growth spurt (no puns intended).