There are also situations like this one where, while I find the headline interesting, I don't care enough to read through the whole link - so I'll check the comments for any significant additions or corrections or clarifications, and sometimes read the interesting discussions that occur, but won't even click through to the main link.
It might come down to a question of number of perspectives - the linked article is usually by a single person/group (or worse, a news org poorly interpreting the results of a group), while the HN comment section will be filled with a variety of people, often with domain specific knowledge and experience.
All that to say, HN is an interesting community, and I don't think there's a "wrong" way to interact with/be part of it (as long as you're being respectful etc.).