The number of applications is slightly higher than last year, but still I fail to understand why it is on the top, because this same thing was happening for the last 4+ years.
My application was picked up in the year 2013, so I have been following both HN and the USCIS at that time. Never saw it make top of HN.
The same thing (lottery for H1B) happened only the last 2 years (2013 and 2014), not for 4+ years (before that 2007 and 2008 also had a lottery).
It is relevant to HN because if we you start a company and need to hire, it can impact your strategy. If you're a software engineer, it shows that there is a high demand and it can be time to review alternative offers.
Your stance could be taken on any technology-related content posted to HN. "Those who care about Linux will keep their eyes and ears open to Linux news. It doesn't have to be posted here because most OS users have Windows" sounds pretty ridiculous to me.