Uninteresting tasks won't get upvoted. Interesting tasks get upvoted, and become a story in itself.

Surely it won't have as detrimental effect as anonymous throwaway accounts rich with shallow sarcasm and curse words.

If you don't like it then don't participate. Some of these projects might be interesting. Unlike you apparently I actually like programming and do have an interest in taking part.

I share your concern, but if the tasks are of little interests and there are no great reason to do them, surely they will not be upvoted?

HN has always been a bit more than a news aggregator, there are "Tell HN"s and "Show HN"s too.

Seeing the same problem solved in different ways is one of the best ways to learn. Cynicism is intellectual junk food.