How do startup cultures change as the company scales?

Many more people and types of people to deal with as the company size grows. Differing personalities, backgrounds, ways of doing things & methods of dealing with things all coming together.

Build in more HR

Change has to occur in order for the startup to grow. Unfortunately, some startups lose focus on of where they come from when they reach their destination. Always remember where you come from and be humble enough to do so. Cultures don't always match up to the growth due to employee issues of concerns and people personality conflicts. However, change is good. The thing to remember is not to forget the human element of the company.

The verbiage becomes exponentially more trite in direct proportion to the quantity of scale. Does that crush it?

As the company grows, the same philosophies that apply to a startup are no longer a viable and sustainable business model to support a larger platform. This changes need to be made to ensure growth is sustained and growing pains are avoided.

They have to adopt proven bigger corporate attitudes to compensate for large groups of people.

I have no answer for this.

Not by much