Yes.

So far the only thing on the internets I voluntire to pay is LWN - for quality of articles.

HN is in worse position - it's "just" mass and quality comments which is easier to copy, eg. lobster alredy exist and there "was" slashdot before (but form is somewhat unreadable...).

But if I had a choice - ads or paywall - then paywall is superior for both sides, possibly even the future.

But HN should wait till WW3 ends...