I'm not using a static IP, but heck they did it anyway. They might have even banned my device IDs (MAC IDs) or thing associated with my route. I don't like VPNs. They're a false sense of security, like Tor, and babies. I never trusted babies...
It's not just downvoting that makes HN strong, it's IP banning. Right now I'm commenting via a new user I created via my work VPN, because nothing on my home network is allowed to create new users on HN now or effectively comment, since I always did so using temporary accounts. I'm getting so much more done, so- thanks, HN!