Tiger JerusalemAn opinion downvoted to hell is actually a good indication that the opinion is indeed unpopular.
SolivineThis isn’t an unpopular opinion, it doesn’t make it a right one though. For example I have no incentive to upvote this.
I think the most upvoted ones tend to be unpopular ones that are funny in some way, or ones that provoke interesting discussion (regardless of if it’s popular).
There is a large difference between factually incorrect and unpopular opinion. Downvotes are more of an indication posts are incorrect facts, not unpopular opinions. Even popular opinions end up generating discussion. The original design of the voting system was to up vote stuff worth seeing and talking about.