Given the entirely non-technical nature of the post, it's not an unfair criticism to make. As others have pointed out, there is indeed a group on HN interested in IP (which I don't personally identify with) but who find stuff like this interesting even if it's not technical - I see that now, and that's merely our difference in opinion about what's relevant here.
But I'd recommend caution in criticizing that trope just for the sake of it: you're dissuading expression of possibly valid opinions on culture fitness, and those discussions are crucial for maintaining a culture anywhere.
The guidelines ask posters not to do this: "Please don't submit comments complaining that a submission is inappropriate for the site." http://ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
But I'd recommend caution in criticizing that trope just for the sake of it: you're dissuading expression of possibly valid opinions on culture fitness, and those discussions are crucial for maintaining a culture anywhere.