Criteria for entering the topic home

Good day, dear habrapayazhety.

We argued with one habraiser about what is the criterion for the post to the main page. I argue that the only criterion is the number of pluses per topic, and this number is not constant, but is calculated using a certain formula. My opponent is that there is a mysterious editor that brings the topics you like to the main page. In my opinion, this statement is simply absurd, because contradicts the concept of a self-organizing community, which Habrahabr is. Moderation must be done by the community.

Please help us resolve our dispute.
Thank you in advance.