Static typing can have advantages but that doesn't mean it's completely invalid to use a dynamic or untyped language. It's understandable if some people prefer not to be involved in those projects though.
But it's completely feasible to use dynamic languages for non-trivial applications. I think it's fair to say that Hacker News is not a trivial application and it's written in a Lisp dialect called Arc.
The biggest advantage of dynamic languages is probably that they are usually more concise. Which can lend itself to a more elegant expression of intent.
Another advantage might be more flexibility reducing the tendency to add boilerplate or a lot of schema-specific code. And I am aware that many people consider a lack of schemas to be the worst thing ever. But at least they are flexible.
And yes I am aware that static types can eliminate errors at compile time. Those types of advantages don't completely invalidate the use of untyped languages.
But it's completely feasible to use dynamic languages for non-trivial applications. I think it's fair to say that Hacker News is not a trivial application and it's written in a Lisp dialect called Arc.
The biggest advantage of dynamic languages is probably that they are usually more concise. Which can lend itself to a more elegant expression of intent.
Another advantage might be more flexibility reducing the tendency to add boilerplate or a lot of schema-specific code. And I am aware that many people consider a lack of schemas to be the worst thing ever. But at least they are flexible.
And yes I am aware that static types can eliminate errors at compile time. Those types of advantages don't completely invalidate the use of untyped languages.