If Y Combinator put ads on HN they can fund 8-10 more startups every year
websiteoutlook.com
websiteoutlook.com
More startups would seriously dilute the process. It would ultimately end up hurting everyone more than helping a dozen or so more founders.
If they did this, hn should probably just donate the revenue to charity (like AVC does); startup-outreach-in-public-schools would be a great charity, and ultimately beneficial to yc. (pay travel expenses to have founders of startups speak at 6-12th grade schools)