This means that no single individual is actually directly making a measurement because the consensus opinion may differ from all of the individual opinions.
This seems to imply that the measurement device isn't the individual but the combination of 5 or 6 individuals who report the consensus. Also, the result of the measurement is the consensus achieved by the group. That is, the measurement is the 6-plet formed by the rankings so obtained.
Also, the object of measurement would be the whole network of hundreds of participants. Now, because of the complexity of measuring the whole network, all we can do for now is take "localized" measurements of small groups of 6 people. Pretty much as someone who is trying to understand the ocean, takes random samples at different locations/times.
@dan, Please confirm whether this interpretation approaches your vision or not.