This is the way that Reddit and Hacker News function. When browsing the feed on those sites I middle click the post and the comments link to open both up in new tabs but on kbin both links open the same page.
Just my two cents: I prefer the way it is. The Hacker News way always trips me up, especially when switching from Apollo – where post titles link to the post. I realize how bad this is going to sound, but the OP and the comments are what I’m here for. I judge whether the linked content is worth visiting based on the comments, so that’s where I prefer to start.
RIF had it best. Click the thumbnail for the link, and the post title for the other options such as view comments.
I do prefer it this way for the same reason. I’m here to discuss what the poster is posting about, which might be the article or meme, or might not be. It’s also why I’d prefer posters of links leave something of their own as well, even if it’s just a brief summary or thought. A link with no text isn’t really that interesting.
And on the note of clicking links, we need to have the option of a link opening up a new tab/window. That way one can go read the article and the comments are still loaded in the other tab to return to without reloading.