That comment was about how HN could learn from 4chan's layout. For example, I think comment trees are way harder to read than a linear stream.
Re:4chan discusses HN
by fnordfnordfnord on Friday June 26, 2015 @11:46PM
(#9789018)
Learn not to take yourself too seriously, which plenty of folks around here do.
Learn what? The whole thread is basically a fond pop at HN, with the usual 4chan dribble thrown in (like the faggot/nigger shock commentary).
I'm not sure how the vein of commentary about the headlines being business/startup oriented is a negative criticism, since that's the point of HN - and if anything, the business side of the forum has been dying off for quite a while.