Taken to another level, why is HN showing articles from news sites at all, when it's own guidelines say if media would cover it, it's probably off topic?
> when it's own guidelines say if media would cover it
Actually, the guidelines say: "If they'd cover it on TV news, it's probably off-topic". And also: "anything that gratifies one's intellectual curiosity" is OK.[1]
Long-form articles on news sites usually have much more intellectual content than TV news.
I'm with you insofar as I'd prefer slightly fewer, but I have seen some important topics with unique discussions here. I think that's why the guidelines say "probably" instead of making it a bright line.
Even if it's not exactly where I'd set the dial, it's probably a rough average of the community, and the consolation prize is that controversial stories rapidly bury themselves.
Actually, the guidelines say: "If they'd cover it on TV news, it's probably off-topic". And also: "anything that gratifies one's intellectual curiosity" is OK.[1]
Long-form articles on news sites usually have much more intellectual content than TV news.
[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html