In addition to the pursuit of points, I think to many it's a challenge to see if they've got the intelligence to identify something provocative to the masses an

In addition to the pursuit of points, I think to many it's a challenge to see if they've got the intelligence to identify something provocative to the masses and get the scoop on the item. Also, and I'm going out on a limb here, maybe people submit to seek reassurance that their taste in tech news isn't too deviant when their submissions get traction, or a right of passage to consider themselves a legitimate "hacker" who earned the respect of people apparently smarter than the slashdot crowd, but more energetic than the kuro5hin gang. Or out of narcissism maybe, a desire to be at the helm steering what thoughts a bunch of people shall focus on at a given time.