While both sites effectively function as oligarchies, they are still democratic in one important sense. Digg and Wikipedia's elite users aren't chosen by a corporate board of directors or by divine right. They're the people who participate the most. Despite the fairy tales about the participatory culture of Web 2.0, direct democracy isn't feasible at the scale on which these sites operate. Still, it's curious to note that these sites seem to have the hierarchical structure of the old-guard institutions they've sought to supplant.
Jennifer Lamkins on 18 Jan 13The For Teachers section includes free classroom materials written for students in grades 6-12 to deepen their understanding of the world and related social issues. These activities are intended to raise awareness of individuals who make a difference and show how problem solvers begin and carry out their work.
