Top Digg User Interviewed About Digg Removing Top Users List

We have all read yesterday's post on TechCrunch about Digg removing list of top diggers. And what I actually wanted to publish here for you was an opinion from those users. And thanks to having Chrisek (Krzysztof Pajak, a financial auditor from Poland and top Digg user #10 currently) on my contacts list I have had a chance to discuss today's Digg news with him in Skype chat.

Svetlana: It's nice to see you online and thank you for agreeing to discuss the Digg news with me.

Chrisek: Hello, nice to talk to you as well.

Svetlana: So I wanted to ask about your opinion on Digg removing its list of top users?

Chrisek: I saw this coming, as did most of us. Just a shame it won't fix the problems Kevin Rose is blaming the top user list of creating… But then again, he did this in September, too. Should not have expected anything different now. It won't eliminate the perception of top diggers manipulating Digg. Why? Two reasons; they have to do with the fact that these diggers can still be solicited. When people can be contacted, there will always be the charges of manipulation.

Svetlana: And how do you think your activities on Digg will change without the top users list?

Chrisek: I think it won't change, I post for fun.

Svetlana: And what about other top users?

Chrisek: As for other top diggers they will go away from Digg, I think. You know that attaining a high rank takes a lot of time and effort. And when you're NOT getting paid for your efforts (like those at Netscape *are*), you tend to try and look to other things for motivation. One of them is public recognition. With no top users list you won't have motivation.

Svetlana: And what do you think will happen to Digg without its top users?

Chrisek: Nothing bad, I think. Just less quality content. And we will have other NEW top diggers. If Kevin Rose were TRULY interested in eliminating charges of manipulation, then he would eliminate friends. Make every user anonymous. And make every user equal to the next.

Svetlana: But I think the community will be weaker without top diggers?

Chrisek: Community will be weaker because most of these diggers are on this site for a year or more. By the way, the list of top diggers is back - http://www.efinke.com/digg/topusers.html.

Svetlana: Nice move, someone was supposed to do it. And do you think that top diggers would go to some other competing community - for motivation?

Chrisek: They are doing it right now. Some of them are working for Netscape. Others are getting paid for consulting.

Svetlana: But do you think they can build a community as successful as Digg if you all join some other website together?

Chrisek: Sure they will. But you must remember it's not about top diggers. You need also viewers.

Svetlana: So my last question. What do you think about another Digg news today? I mean, the latest Digg payola.

Chrisek: I got that mail as well. It's normal, I got this kind of mails everyday. But I have to say this was quite generous. I thing this guy was a bit desperate.

Svetlana: And how much do they usually offer?

Chrisek: Up to $100. But this is nothing compared to better jobs like web 2.0 consulting for new startups. I got some of those offers. I have recently worked with a startup in my country. They asked me to test the site and write a report on what they should add, what functionalities would be good for the site, etc.

Svetlana: This is a total surprise for me. Everyone expects top diggers to be paid for promoting stories. Now you say that there are other ways of earning - by promoting yourself as a professional and getting descent job and consulting offers.

Chrisek: Yes, sure and it's not against TOS of Digg.

Svetlana: Quite a revelation for me, now at least I understand what Digg exposure actually means.

Chrisek: But to be clear Digg is fun for me, I work as a financial auditor and I'm doing all the stuff on Digg because it's a great place to go.

Svetlana: So thank you for the talk, it was very informative and thought-provoking. And good luck to you with Digg and with your career!

Well, honestly, it was extremely interesting for me to chat about the news with Chrisek. I'm sure he has his reasons to predict that Digg top users will leave Digg. But what will Digg be like without them?