The NYTimes experiment has a probability of being a fluke that is 1 in 150, whereas the Comic Sans experiment (measured the same way) is 2 in a billion: http://arxiv.org/abs/1207.7214

Compared to USB's 5V @ 1A (5W) limit or Power over Ethernet's 13W, Firewire can supply 60W. It's also always been a true bus rather than USB's Host/Device architecture, automatically being able to connect devices and computers to each other like USB On the Go is trying for. It's assymetric plugs are easier use without looking and were inspired by the original GameBoy cables for child and adult proofing. Of course patent holders initially charged too much ($0.25, then $1, now free) and the chips used to be too expensive for slow devices like mice and keyboards. Guy who helped design it: http://www.teener.com/firewire_FAQ/ Apple's licensing: http://developer.apple.com/softwarelicensing/agreements/firewire.html

It seems there should be technical solutions to the problem:
Highlighting fresh edits.
Detecting back and forth deletions and flagging them.
Establishing a pool of problematic articles that volunteers could stay on top of.
A day waiting period for new accounts to edit particularly problematic articles.