Web2.0 democracy is a myth (thankfully!)

Here's a foresighted post that comments on the Dumb Я Us post above. Chris Wilson at Slate argues that the extreme democracy of sites like Digg and Wikipedia is indeed much exaggerated...that although the unwashed masses are allowed to have their say, the final product is vetted and quality-controlled by a relatively small number of responsible chaperones. Intriguing and encouraging! I also recently heard a theory that the feedback so eagerly solicited at news sites, for example, really isn't used for anything other than to make comment contributors feel their opinions matter, and compel them to come back. Ingenious, and why not indulge them with this harmless bit of fun?