Don't you feel that way on most sites? I mean, conceivably, HN could be manipulating your feelings as well by fingerprinting your browser and using a different ranking algorithm.
I get that services want me to see stuff that is "most relevant" to me, but there is no room in relevance for serendipity, and it brings to mind the line from Equilibrium:
"..The comfort of knowing your life has been lived before."
In this case, you're not paying, so you're not a customer and they don't really care about your needs as long as you stick around.
They make their money from the companies that the article goes on about, and they will do whatever they can to make more.
In short, wouldn't it be better to assume that if the NSA can listen to you, they will? And if a company can make money from your data, they will? And if a politician could be taking bribes, they are?