There is more noise by quantity because there are more links than ever, but the average quality hasn't gone down. It only seems like it sometimes, because the site has good and bad days.
Also, if you just want programming links, read http://hackerhackernews.com/. The topic here is much broader than only technical things.
When there are slow news days, the front page tends to fill with dribble. Sometimes that gets people to submit better stuff, so it balances itself out.
Also, if you just want programming links, read http://hackerhackernews.com/. The topic here is much broader than only technical things.