That's you, reading an article that was posted on Google+, without even logging in to Google+, which proves that Google+ can be used like any blogging software:
Because HN, reddit, et al. do not have a "real name" requirement, nor do they attempt to force you into making connections to others that you may not be willing to make.
Using HN and reddit as an analogy is flawed though, because they do not have an extended family of products and services. If G+ was only G+, then great, that's one thing. However, G+ is required if you want to make an app review in the Play store, among other things. Neither reddit nor HN have anything remotely close to this.
G+ is a feed I can comment on.
And you're not just reading HN (which RSS would let you do), you're commenting on it.
RSS does not allow you to comment back - it's not that magic.
Hacker News has convinced you to make an account, in order to comment.
And I can use Google+ in a browser. Any browser.
And lookie here:
https://plus.google.com/+Scobleizer/posts/ZLV9GdmkRzS
That's you, reading an article that was posted on Google+, without even logging in to Google+, which proves that Google+ can be used like any blogging software:
https://plus.google.com/+Scobleizer/posts
So, what exactly is your problem? Why the venom?