Could anyone answer this?
It does not seem to be based on number of replies, or number of views, as comparing different gold-starred threads by these standards does not reveal the answer…
How are threads gold-starred, and how is the number of gold stars chosen (from one to five)?
Thank you.
It’s the result of voting [U]by those who choose to vote[/U] (not a very scientific sample).
Directions in red, in the sample image below —
Notes:
Once you have voted, you can’t vote again, and you can’t change your vote.
When some doofus starts a really inane thread, and awards himself 5 stars, you can counteract his move by casting a vote for 1 star. Then the “current rating” will change from 5 stars to 3 stars (average).
After the drop-down menu shows you the current rating, you can click on it to see how many votes have been cast and the numerical average of those votes.
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I never even looked at the ‘Rate this thread’ menu!!!
Deary me…
Thank you !!!
Have some stars. 
Francesco,
I just noticed that someone has trashed your “Why we need…” thread, with a “terrible” vote.
If you and I each drop a 5-star vote on that thread, then the total will be 3 votes for an average of 3.67 (which the system should show as 4 stars).
And, if Kevin wants to help out, we can make it 4 votes for an average of 4.0 (a solid 4 stars).
Gosh, Clint, I did notice that… Thank you!!!
Well, who knows, maybe it is ‘terrible’… but I hope not…
I just checked your thread again, and see that it has attracted 4 votes for a score of 3.75
That means: 1 vote for 1 star (the first vote cast), 2 votes for 5 stars each (mine, and presumably yours), and a fourth vote for 4 stars (don’t know who). That makes 1 + 5 + 5 + 4 = 15. Then, 15 ÷ 4 = 3.75
I think I can “persuade” another member to vote 5 stars, to make a total score of 20.
Then, 20 ÷ 5 will be 4.0
The higher the total score gets, the less impact a “trash” vote can have.
This vote-rigging is pretty slick, don’t you think?
A few months ago, a couple of the threads I had started in the Melting Pot forum came under attack by a gang of members I had offended. Ten (or more) of that gang trashed my threads with votes of 1 star each. As a result, it will be a long time (if ever) before either of those threads has a decent score.
(It doesn’t take much to amuse some people.)
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I already gave my 5-star rating. 
Well, then, the plot thickens. Maybe Francesco gave his thread a 4-star vote.
I did… Guilty…
I did not want to over-rate myself
And twelve points go to PipMeHappy! ahem, five stars!
Well, thank you…
I am speechless…
I am glad I asked!