I wouldn't call that "web of trust", but sure it helps. It doesn't help, for example, if someone is trolling by using a different name or something like that.
Yes.
Curious what do you think in general about this essay?
Say I learn your name, and accidentally share this info with others via the petname feature illustrated in the article you shared. What do you think about this risk?
nostr:npub1yaul8k059377u9lsu67de7y637w4jtgeuwcmh5n7788l6xnlnrgs3tvjmf implemented a lite web of trust profile feature in damus. Instead of exporting and importing petnames does Terry’s wot feature(e.g. this profile is followed by 10 of your follows) accomplish the job-to-be-done of knowing if someone is trusted? Is this the job-to-be-done you are looking for help with? 
Discussion
What would you define as web of trust?