That's a clever question and the answer has a few parts, mostly due to the slipperiness of "trust" as a concept: I wasn't specific enough in my description of my own threat model (which makes sense, as my aim wasn't to explain the threat model but to cultivate answers from other folks). In short, I currently only have access to systems that are too costly to replace, if the site is under active attack. That's not to say that HN's comment section isn't also a risk, but it seems less of one.

I considered these actors before deciding to ask the question instead of immediately connecting directly: available computer systems, internet pipes, the NYT website, and the bevy of third party ad-services hosted through the website.

I'm reading this from a bank workstation. Let me install Tor and see how long I can test NYTimes readability before I'm escorted out the door.