IMO, entrepreneurialism is an inate human trait. However, this doesn't mean it's expressed in everyone you meet, day-in-day-out. It clealy isn't. It's possible technology is simply an accidental expression of this trait. Which is interesting yet terrifying if true.
If you want to read something interesting regarding sponsored subversion, I recommend 'Legacy of Ashes' by Tim Weiner. Fantastic hacks and incredible, yet true and widely uncredited events in US and world history executed by the OSS and CIA.
Looking at the exception log, this appears to have happened was when you tried to vote without providing an email address? I can't reproduce the error but will investigate further.
Good point. The business model for this site is to help small businesses survey their customers and employees which needs to be the focus for promo material like tag lines, FAQ etc. The objective is to grow a paying user base who survey people with little insentive to spoof their responses (like voting multiple times), which negates some criticism like 'why would anyone provide an email for a frivolous poll'.
I generally agree with you, however, from memory, I recall pg saying that entering a crowded market isn't necessarily a move that should be avoided. I think there's plenty of opportunities to beat established web sites by providing better solutions.
I agree that email validation is flawed in terms of ensuring uniqueness, so this is something I may drop and insist users create an account. One thing I have considered in the mean time is allowing registered users to hide non-signed in participants.
I'm a night person, but if I force myself to get up early and go for a run then immediately after I am at my most alert, no matter it is 12 hours away from what is usually my most productive time of the day. I guess cave people didn't have a choice when it was time to run from a sabre-toothed tiger.
I wonder if this is Sony's first step to see full adoption of Chrome OS? It is true many PC manufacturers won't offer Linux because Microsoft will deny them discount deals on copies of Windows. However, to threaten Sony would be tricky for Microsoft as they also compete in the game space. This would interest the DOJ and EU.