Wow, this is huge. I honestly think we might be witnessing a turning point in the history of the web - it almost reminds me of the french revolution. The masses are rioting, and torching the digital property of the elite. And those hex numbers have become this movement's rallying call.
What we know is that with 2.0, control over online content has been handed to the users. What we don't know is how the users will decide to wield this power, and the effect it will have on the likes of digg/youtube/etc.
I'm not sure I'd put it up against the French Revolution, but I'd say it's a nice reaffirmation that it's all about your users. You have to be very careful when it comes to enforcing rules and restrictions.
I didn't mean to imply that this is in the same league as, or should be "put it up against," the French revolution. But that doesn't mean it shouldn't remind you of it.
Because of the "online mob," both youtube and digg are facing copyright issues that could potentially put them out of business. Destroying over $1bn in assets is kind of a big deal.
It might be nice it the world worked that way, but I don't think that's it. I think Daniel's use of "careful" is right on. Digg was transparent about what they were doing; the community still did not like it.
You have to do what your users want, simple as that. If what your users really want is openness and honesty that's what you give them. Digg's users want to be able decrypt dvds (even if in the abstract for most of them). They've had many accusations of lack of transparency in the past that went nowhere.
Your point about Digg is wrong, I think. It wasn't just the infamous encryption key. Digg was already known for inconsistent and at times unjustified moderation and many such stories went unnoticed for that reason - they were quickly removed. The HD-DVD was just a tipping point - for many perhaps only subconsciously.
And this explains my point: Digg has never been honest and that eventually paid off.
I'm fairly certain it isn't revolutionary, it just shows the rampant immaturity of Digg's user base and their mob justice that has no respect and knows no bounds. It isn't the first time they've done this; it is the first time they've done it directly to Digg.
Seriously, is this what social media is about? Complete chaos?
I don't think it of respectful users, I think it of Digg users, which have never been shown to be intelligent or respectful of either the web site they use or anyone else for that matter.
Revolution is a bit strong, after all they're just sat down clicking away at a digg button. It is however interesting to see so many people object to DRM & DMCA. I'm curious as to the legal outcome, after all its just a number being shared.
Voting is the core concept of any Democracy. Voting is Democracy in action.If Clicking Digg button sounds silly , thats because we are living in a pretty advanced world, although we don't care.
What we know is that with 2.0, control over online content has been handed to the users. What we don't know is how the users will decide to wield this power, and the effect it will have on the likes of digg/youtube/etc.