I think it's more of the fact that he doesn't want people coming on HN and whining everytime someone does them wrong just to get attention from the business.
A VPN gives you little protection against browser fingerprinting, which may alone leak enough information about you to identify you. Also privacy-by-policy is in no way near privacy-by-design. If you want privacy, use the Tor Browser.
You haven't told us enough information. What's your social life like? Do you have any close friends or acquaintances? Do you have any family members you talk to? Significant other? etc...