365questions.org

Do no worry, nothing trashy here; I will just try to elaborate on this assertion.

I think that what is interesting about Web 2.0 is the fact that people are now more aware of how this set of technology and this so-called new paradigm just fits right in our capitalist system. Web 2.0 merely illustrates the fact that instead of paying people for producing content you’d rather have consumers produce the content directly.

This aspect is very similar to the unique ability of the “system” to recycle old stuff in new. This is especially the case in the show-business industry where the easiest and cheapest way to make money is to re-package a proven concept/product which production’s costs have been amortized a long time ago – well what about selling a Best of 365questions in the near future JFB ?

The recycling has become so common with copy and paste that we barely pay attention to it. But ultimately it is quite a morbid process which kills innovation and creativity. Being creative has a cost, not only in terms of money…

Having the consumers produce the content is just another step after the recycling trick (soon you’ll have the consumers recycling their own production*)

And this is No big news.

The same pattern was developed in the porn industry some time ago where you have non professional shooting themselves. Basically you have a cost of production of nearly zero and all you need is the distribution channel to sell the amateur films.

Web 2.0 is doing the same and the fact that emblematic sites have been bought for huge amount of money (more than 500 million USD for myspace…) illustrates the fact that the key here is the distribution channel and the network.

The underlying assumption which is really scary is that in a mass consumers society served by the ultimate mass media (the Internet), content is not important at all. All that matters is the distribution channel and the network – just because the network effect is so crucial in the Web economy.

The real revolution of Web 2.0 relies on its ability to provide the right tools for individuals to shortcut the established distribution channels and challenge the network effect.

Enjoy web 2.0, but don’t forget about porn (sex and money rule the world !) and keep asking yourself who controls the distribution?

* Yes circles and cycles are very cool zen concepts but only when it is not like a mad engine running amok. Emptiness is also a cool zen concept but is has nothing to do with stupidity or vacuity. By the way, I am not sure to which extent blooging is part of that as well, but it sure is another sign of a narcissistic society. Is not narcissism the first step of going round in circles nowhere ? More on that here.

RD

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 14th, 2006 at 12:06 pm and is filed under Real Questions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.