Google’s beta Digg-like interface? I’ll pass

I was going through some articles this evening and I stumbled across an article on TechCrunch regarding Google testing out a Digg-like interface for their web search.  At first, I thought, “Cool!”  But, after further thought, I don’t think it’s a good idea. 

From what I understand, Google would be ranking their search results by this method of voting on the best websites.  Bad idea.  This will essentially allow users to censor the web and make their favorite sites the best, and leave the accurate information in the dust.  This would allow users to jack up the ratings for their own site, and would in turn make the results completely unfair.  I sincerely hope I’m getting this wrong, because, as often with TechCrunch, there wasn’t much information.

However, the commenting feature that they wish to add might be a good opt-in feature.  I would like to know what other users think of a site, and I’m sure a lot of others would too.  But, definitely get rid of the voting.  That would certainly lead to disaster, either in Google’s demise (which I think could be really bad for the web) or in an Internet that is controlled by the popular, rather than being completely free.  It’s basically giving more control to people with a fragile system, and the Internet I think would ultimately implode.

Happy thoughts, eh?