Read Write Web points out that the "wisdom" of crowds can go in any number of directions - not all of them good:

SitePoint Marketing Manager Shayne Tilley talked about the company's efforts to promote a recent book giveaway via Digg on an SP blog. Within an hour after the promotion went live it had been dugg 30 times, but then, just as quickly, it was buried. Was it because SitePoint had submitted their own content to Digg, something that Digg users generally frown upon? No, SitePoint hadn't done that, they just put a "Digg This" button on the campaign page. The reason for the bury was likely this comment, according to SitePoint, who noticed the bury come down shortly after the comment was posted:

"It's a trap. When you download it runs a validation check to see if you are running a pirated version of photoshop. Which then logs your ip back to Adobe HQ who then mark the ip address in the automated billing system. You will recieve [sic] a fine for $500 in the next 2 to 5 working days. Congratulations" -- luke16

Which wasn't true. What we forget is this: people in groups will do things that - as individuals - they know are stupid. We see this every day in meetings, and we all remember it from our childhoods. What makes us think that groups are any wiser because they are virtual?

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