FYI HN does edit out the "Why", but OP can go in and modify the title after submitting.

Maybe HN needs an "if num_words > 3" before the "delete leading Why". Or maybe an "if char_count > CHAR_LIMIT" before the "delete leading Why".

Or just don't. What a near guaranteed way to mangle the meaning of a title.

90% of the time it works and you don’t notice the system because you only see the good result. This is the rare event when it breaks and you do notice.

That makes one wonder what happens if one was to submit a story titled "Why"

It remains as “Why”. Same for “Why not?”. Maybe it needs at least three words. Though “Why why why“ also isn’t changed. Apologies to anyone who came across my experiments.

I found the shortened one accurate and also thought provoking

I think the shortened title is actually better; the essay doesn't go deep into "why", it's more a set of observations illustrating that we do in fact spiral.

I figured it was going to be about WeWork circling the drain. Thankfully it wasn't.