I get your point there. People are getting crazy about their PR update. That's what they usually focus. If there PR gets lower then they feel bad about that but when their PR results is good in the PR update they feel glad.
Google is full of surprises.... You or we cannot predict what google is thinking.. maybe you can ask about MATT
I dont have problem with my PR because I still have PR0. Its good because now they update it regularly!
one of my site pr is update and is up. pretty crazy but i like it, maybe they want to try people behavior and respone