The rise of the Internet in the 90s has sparked an incredible revolution fundamentally changing the way we live. Often times, I feel so caught up in my usual daily routine of email, instant messaging, blogging, web designing, and web surfing that I forget how new everything actually is. Now, I can't possibly imagine life without the Internet or computers.
To me, what's truly remarkable is how the Internet is empowering people. Specifically, we are seeing:
- Democratization of content - more user partcipation and user-generated content than ever before
- Chris Anderson's "Long Tail" phenomenon - niche audiences, content, and voices distributed over the Internet
- Shift in control to the consumer - more creativity, power, and freedom in our hands
- Monetization of content - more people taking a slice of the pie
These trends are most apparent in media:
Music
MySpace is now MyStage. There's a rise of independent artists and bands who are given the chance to shine in the spotlight. Consider MC Lars, Artic Monkeys, and Hawthorne Heights.
Video
Consider Brightcove, YouTube, Revver, Metacafe. Look at the success of LonelyGirl15. You no longer need to be Hollywood to create and broadcast your video content.
What does this all mean? What are the implications?
I have to say that I am a bit torn.
On one hand, we should celebrate. This movement is fueling the creation of new media --- hybrid musical genres and novel video content for all audiences, not just mainstream. In the future, I suspect there to be more mash-ups and collaboration between amateurs and professionals.
However, perhaps we should be concerned. Does this mean society is just becoming ever more obsessed with consumerism? As content is exchanged and moved between people across all boundaries and media on a global scale, will it lose its original meaning, aura, and authenticity? Will the lines just get too blurred? What will happen to the issue of copyright? Who will own the rights? Who should own them? There are many questions left to be answered.