Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm the opposite. I actually wrote a small browser extension to make HN links open in a new tab because it annoys me so much. I can't disagree with what others have said about making it user-choice though. Maybe some kind of toggle switch that lets users set the behavior one way or the other would work?
In chrome-based browsers, you can also middle-click (mouse wheel click) a link to open it as a new tab.
99% of the time I'm using a laptop trackpad, not a mouse.