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The Big Digg Disappointment

I long appreciated digg; if not for its content, then for its algorithm’s ability to dynamically sift through the huge volume of submissions and deliver that content. Today we find out digg’s algorithm relies at least in part on human moderation.

What’s the significance (to me)?

1. Digg isn’t an agnostic platform, its as editorial and mod-driven as FARK.
2. Any non-zero amount of moderator activity complete invalidates the democratic elements of the platform.
3. That’s not a bad thing, or wouldn’t be if Digg hadn’t been positioned as agnostic/democratic/algorithmic.
4. Misrepresenting the technology behind one’s site is weak and doesn’t speak well for the digg team’s ability to deliver or for their respect for users.
5. The value of digg’s underlying technology has plummeted.
6. The FARK model works well, and digg has value as a FARK competitor focused on geek news.
7. As TC points out, it makes digg competitors like Reddit a lot more welcoming.

Lord knows I’ve had enough digg-meta news to last a lifetime. Maybe this issue will kick digg off the stage.

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