I imagine some people are getting a bit tired of this topic, or at least the rate at which stories are making it on to the front page, and honestly, the HN community doesn't have all that much to add to this discussion. Heck, it's not particularly clear the NY Times does either. It's a huge topic that probably nobody really knows in the end.
It happens like any other flagged submission: members flag it. And as you note, vouching restores it. 'minimaxir's put together a lengthier explanation here:
