> The front page real estate taken by the in-network posts comes at the expense of those out-of-network in a zero-sum game. Submitters without any network at all are screwed.

I don't know if that assessment is true. I don't have a network. If I submit something to PH and someone with a network upvotes it, their network is now more likely to see it. So if you create something cool, that a few people with networks discover on the upcoming feed, you're chances to reach even more people and get the foot in the door (and land on the frontpage) are higher now, with this new front page algorithm, no?