Found an interesting story in today’s TechCrunch feed.

One of the most amazing aspects of Web 2.0 is the incredible power it places in the hands of the user. In the traditional Internet, power rested in the hands of site owners/creators, who determined what content would be available to the rest of us. Today, sites such as Digg, Stumbleupon, Netscape, and Del.icio.us, among others, have wrested that power away and placed it upon the shoulders of housewives, students, photographers, rug salesmen, and more ordinary, everyday individuals. This power transfer has been made possible because the new web allows anyone and everyone to share their own opinions about what is/is not important or newsworthy. Their submissions are then evaluated by other users, who either validate or shoot down the proposals.

The level of influence that such users can have on what you and I watch or read is highlighted in a Wall Street Journal article entitled The Wizards of Buzz. This is a very informative article, giving an insiders’ view into the thought processes of the boys- and girls-next-door who have risen through the ranks to become the most influential submitters on these social-networking sites. It also reveals some interesting ethical questions that arise from these sites, such as the prospect of companies buying votes to boost their popularity.

Of special note are the ages of a couple of the featured users–as young as 12! We are entering an age where our children can be empowered like never before, if we will give them the tools.