Daily Bookmarks 01/11/2007

A fundamental misunderstanding in the relationship between media industry and the artist has produced an environment that has led the industry to believe that they are the reason for creative output, not just a beneficiary. However, the Internet is bringing the power of production and distribution to the user. And if production and distribution — which are where historically media companies made their money — can be handled by users, then what will be left for the media companies? With the surge in content, will media companies need to become filters and editors? If not, then what is there?

The current media model depends on controlling the flow of information, and as information becomes harder to control their power will diminish. On the internet we see strong communities building around very specific niches. As these communities get stronger, they will become harder to compete with. I believe that these niches will develop into the next generation media companies. These will be the companies that the large media companies will need to compete with.

• Interesting concept, the idea that media companies will have to compete against communities of practice. I wonder what the tipping point is for these groups to truly develop competitive strength, say the education community online vs. the textbook publishers. And I also wonder about the premise that filtering will become the “job” of corporations. Isn’t that what the network is all about? Still…interesting ideas.
   – post by willrich