Just got here after thinking about asking the same question! From a usability perspective, I'd rather have more than have to go to the next page, solely becaus

Just got here after thinking about asking the same question! From a usability perspective, I'd rather have more than have to go to the next page, solely because of the static next links HN uses -- they confuse me with their making me refresh (usually), catch anything that newly popped onto the page, THEN click next. Would be a lot easier to simply show more. I'm sure the reason is some combination of load speed and a pseudo-designers' perspective that simpler == better. Who knows.