What is this "general news" you speak of? Between the hundreds of bookmarks on tech related articles, piles of RSS feeds, stacks of programming books around me, constant work and a single blog for local news on the state legislature, I can't remember when I last had time for "general news". Maybe Bush's 6th or 7th year in office? Back then I'd spend at least an hour on NYT. Now with the work load of two others I just don't have the time.
As far as HN's format, more "hacker" articles would be nice. I enjoy when my jaw drops at the thought of interesting or clever solution to a problem.