When it's truly overplayed, it will get less votes and less interesting comments leading to votes, and make the home page less often. It may be on its way, but it's obviously not there yet.
It is interesting to ask why, though.
Are people still interested because a lot don't know and are hearing about it? There's often secondary posts and discussions by different groups of people a day or two later, I suspect there are different demographics reading at different times. (This new thing sounds cool, let's discuss!)
Are they interested because they heard about it recently and thinks it needs more exposure? (This new thing seems cool, let's spread the word more!)
Are they interested because it has spurred them to action, and they had or have currently changed some aspect of their life for better or worse, and they feel they need to share? (This new thing is/was cool/sucked, let me tell you why!)
These are all different stages in the life cycle of a trend. I think it's interesting to identify the stages, as there can be different benefits and drawbacks to getting on board (if that's your wish) depending on the stage.
It is interesting to ask why, though.
Are people still interested because a lot don't know and are hearing about it? There's often secondary posts and discussions by different groups of people a day or two later, I suspect there are different demographics reading at different times. (This new thing sounds cool, let's discuss!)
Are they interested because they heard about it recently and thinks it needs more exposure? (This new thing seems cool, let's spread the word more!)
Are they interested because it has spurred them to action, and they had or have currently changed some aspect of their life for better or worse, and they feel they need to share? (This new thing is/was cool/sucked, let me tell you why!)
These are all different stages in the life cycle of a trend. I think it's interesting to identify the stages, as there can be different benefits and drawbacks to getting on board (if that's your wish) depending on the stage.