Hacker News Reader

Yep, not only that but Hacker News is used as an example on Contrast Rebellion: http://contrastrebellion.com/public/images/page2-img4.jpg

We don't do it to look cool. We know low contrast is less readable, and we use it to discourage self-posts.

Sure, I get the reason. I was using the example to relate to parent's comment.