We watched and read all week about the reaction by Digg membership to a decision made by its owner. As an Internet community, Cre8asiteforums can relate to the situation on many levels.

Moderator, Chris Winfield, a strong support of Social Media, and Digg member himself, opened up discussion with What Are Your Thoughts On The Digg Hd DVD Scandal? Some of the comments are thoughtful and important, as we discuss, try to understand and learn from this.

I think Digg just shot themselves in the foot. They “hear” a vocal part of their community that wants to toss a part of the Digg TOS, and then they cave. What’s next? Porn as free speech? Hate as free speech?

Would they find an investor to pay for all the infrastructure, knowing that the users are the kind that would not refrain from doing illegal things?

So as a community, in my mind, the head honcho has a pow wow with the tribe to discuss options and possible solutions that may or may not be based on consensus by the whole.

Digg users didn’t discuss anything. They reacted first, and then forced the hand of Kevin Rose.

If the site does something which causes legal action to happen, “the community” will not be liable. Will they pay for the lawyers required? Will they cover any fines or share potential jail-time?

Simply said, the Diggers showed self-regulation doesn’t work on the Social Mob level. That changes the game.