The point of the article is not surprise that this is happening (obviously language changes in this way), but curiosity about how it is happening.

"Please respond to the strongest plausible interpretation of what someone says, not a weaker one that's easier to criticize."

"Please don't post shallow dismissals, especially of other people's work. A good critical comment teaches us something."

https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html