Would it be fair to say that if Arc had more success when you first released it that you would have been less willing to let the effort die? If so then the full analysis could still have merit.
In retrospect YC would have taken over my life no matter what. It has pushed out essays too, mostly.
I don't consider Arc to have died, incidentally. You used it to say that, and I'm using it to reply. If I ever retired from YC I'd probably start working on it more actively again.
I didn't intend to say Arc died, rather I thought I was stating that your effort died, but i can certainly see how it may come across that way.
FYI... I still use arc for certain projects and still have hope that one day it will get the attention it deserves. I know you've taken a lot of criticism about Arc, but I'll suggest there are quite a few of us that do appreciate the work you have done so far.