HN could easily be improved with a redesign, but an issue with many attempts is they take it too far trying to make a case.

I don't care about an article's upvotes so I'd put the comment count far left an in an orange shape whose intensity or size changed with the value. This would make it quicker to scan and find the big news stories. Then find a way to introduce a few stories from New into the main screen to get them started.