[ansy]

PG does not typically delete accounts; he just disables the login. All of the comments and submissions are still there under the original name.

[irrumator]

The poor man's HN account delete: change email, change pass to random gibberish, logout.

You're free.

Until the next account.

[cynest]

That's not necessarily the point. The most important use of a delete account functionality is to protect one's own privacy should you not want to be personally connected to statements you made anonymously.

[irrumator]

That's the great thing about the internet and pseudonyms :)