The people know the scientific method. Yet so much of the scientific information is locked behind a paywall. I do believe that was one of the things Aaron Swartz was trying to set free before he was suicided.
As to the jump. I suspect multiple votes came in and you clicking up vote simply sent a browser message to update the page so it includes your vote plus other votes since the last time the page was loaded/updated by your browser. (my speculation)
So that's how it happens... thanks, I always wondered why that happens... this wasn't the first time.