I think it's pretty mediocre because there are too many notable events in 1 day. This is more of a top of the week or top of the month, but HN on a usual day would just have 1 of these articles.

Sure, but it's kinda like cartoon/comic art. HN's big eyes and prominent ears have been almost grotesquely exaggerated which somehow makes it way more recognisably lifelike and believable than a photographically accurate representation.

Accelerando...!