If a submission becomes popular, more people see it. The more people see it the more people are likely to interact by upvoting, commenting, or flagging.
Stories can be popular because people agree with an agenda the story espouses/supports/furthers without the story being intellectually interesting in and of itself, deviating from well known presumptions or shedding new light. And even an intellectually interesting story can create more heat than light in the comments.
Everyone loves a dumpster fire a little bit now and there but unfortunately the internet standard is a tire fire.
Stories can be popular because people agree with an agenda the story espouses/supports/furthers without the story being intellectually interesting in and of itself, deviating from well known presumptions or shedding new light. And even an intellectually interesting story can create more heat than light in the comments.
Everyone loves a dumpster fire a little bit now and there but unfortunately the internet standard is a tire fire.