We've already seen a partial mea culpa from the original author of the comment. His project[1] now suggests StackOverflow can be cloned in "over the course of the[sic] weekends", instead of, you know, already being finished.
He didn't back out because he thought it would be too hard. According to him, he backed out because it would be disrespectful.
IMO, if he still thinks he can do it, he should do it and make everyone who is putting him down shut up. And if he fails, so what? At least he will learn a lot.
Excuse my language, but this comment deserves it: I've seen horse-shit with less horse-shit in it.