I'm not fond of PHP, but I don't know it as well as Ruby and Python. Still, I like to read about new technologies concerning PHP. I use HN to discover new stuff, but HN is a poor resource concerning PHP. HN has tremendous vocal disdain for PHP. Every PHP thread transforms into "Why I like or dislike PHP" instead of actual discussion regarding new technologies or libraries. What's worse is the debates feel like I've warped 10 years past because there is nothing ever new to them. People complain about the old things of PHP and never talk about the new things.
Put simply, even though I don't know PHP that well I feel like maybe it has potential and can actually do good in the right hands, but HN brainwashes you into thinking PHP is the worst.