> no one (well, almost no one) is going to use someone that didn't like them as a reference, they are going to dig up someone that will say something good about them.

If this is not the point of references, what is?

Also: for some levels of US Government Clearances the agents ask you "Who else do you recommend we talk to about This Person?". It might be interesting to see if it's commercially cost saving for some level of businesses to do this as well.