Why exactly do you or OP assume that this project can't or won't iterate and test?
And why are you assuming anything about the existence of voting systems?
Dan Sinker even says in his piece "We don’t see this project as a single product, but instead as building blocks for engaging communities throughout the web."
You might be right, that it will go live earlier. And that the 2 year period is just the period that funding is available for. I interpreted tfa as it will go live in 2 years.
And why are you assuming anything about the existence of voting systems?
Dan Sinker even says in his piece "We don’t see this project as a single product, but instead as building blocks for engaging communities throughout the web."