What content gets upvoted or downvoted on these sites is very largely random in terms of content. It seems to be related to how the first few people who see the

What content gets upvoted or downvoted on these sites is very largely random in terms of content. It seems to be related to how the first few people who see the article react to it. Once it has gained enough votes initially, somehow or other the stupidity of crowds gets it more and more votes.