The problem with how you've set this up is that you are not taking into account if the user personally knows the person you are asking them to recommend. Without that qualifier, you are likely to get a popularity contest and not an actual index of more accurate judgements.

Thats a great point, and we did think of that. My hypothesis is that there are more people out there who will actually take it seriously than not. Thanks for your POV - I appreciate it.

It is a great idea, though a little too over-designed. The concept gets in the way of reading more than it should.