I see a lot of comments here that basically say the same thing: "don't change anything, I was used to the old situation, now I'm lost".

Give it a couple of days worth of trying before casting your 'vote' on the changes, it's a pretty disruptive change because it breaks the routine, but I really think this sort of experimenting is what will bring out the best in HN, if hackers are starting to be conservatives then we really are in trouble.

Give it the benefit of the doubt and an honest chance.