Have you considered that bad content breeds bad discussion? Some subreddits have evolved to deal with content marketing shills, a plague on HN, by demanding submitters have no relationship to the content they submit.
I think this would go a long way to restoring a healthier commenting environment. I also think you should consider taking HN with you as you step back. YC are not appropriately positioned to deal with this problem because 1/2 the startups exploiting HN are YC and the other 1/2 are copying them.
I think this would go a long way to restoring a healthier commenting environment. I also think you should consider taking HN with you as you step back. YC are not appropriately positioned to deal with this problem because 1/2 the startups exploiting HN are YC and the other 1/2 are copying them.