
Users vs Editors : The Digg example

Writing the post below, about why CNN front page gets it wrong by listing the most viewed video, got me thinking, because I love Digg, f’r’instance. So why does Digg produce interesting news (particularly if you love Macs, really love Macs, want to marry Steve Jobs, hate Microsoft, code GNU-LINUX or have attended ComiCon in a homemade super-hero outfit) whereas most viewed on CNN produces sensationalism?

The difference is accountability. If you vote for a story that sucks on Digg, then the community values your opinion less, because you’ve recommended something lame in the past. That’s why Delicious doesn’t have adult sites on its popular page, as they don’t want to be seen by others as porn users, despite the fact that the internet is made for porn.

But if a front page is just made from viewed stories no one will find out that you effectively voted to have Jordan and Peter Andre’s wedding in the top ten.

The lesson, in the realm of user generated news, shame is a good thing

wedding.jpg

Who is accountable for this?

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One Response to “Users vs Editors : The Digg example”

  1. Will Sullivan's Journerdism » Lessons from Digg; The MultimediaShooter contest; Designers debate SND contest Says:

    […] Users vs Editors : The Digg example Great little piece here on why ‘most clicked story’ lists are lame (Awesome link to a Google video, too). “The difference is accountability. If you vote for a story that sucks on Digg, then the community values your opinion less, because you’ve recommended something lame in the past.” […]

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