The Web is Not Dead
A recent article in Wired titled, “The Web is Dead, Long Live the Internet,” hypothesizes that the Web has become more curated/focused due to the popularity of mobile apps and is becoming more a highway than desitnation.
That’s an easy knee jerk assumption except that the Web’s continuing strength will be open access. Television is still going strong despite DVRs, DVDs and streaming media.
Why? Discovery.
While we may look at curating sites like Mashable or our social network, we still seek content that is important to us, to share/contribute to the online community. Also, how can these sites curate, even through an app if their staff is not actively seeking new information?
Someone has to be the tastemakers, right?
Let’s Go
I saw this campaign for SHELL on the subway and the message in each of the banners plastered around the car really grabbed me. They are all mantras that sum up my approach to working in online and digital.
- Let’s make the most of what we’ve got. Let’s go.
- Let’s think around corners. Let’s go.
- Let’s start yesterday. Let’s go.
- Let’s make what we’ve got go further. Let’s go.
- Let’s think long term. Let’s go.
- Decisions, decisions. Let’s make some. Let’s go.
- We have the technology. Let’s go.
I walked up and down the car, copying each of these statements, because they all reflect the attitude that anyone working in this field needs to have.
Stagnation, ignorance, reluctance, are all marks of death in the technological landscape.
Facebook overtook MySpace, which overtook Friendster. Apple iPod overtook the Sony Walkman. MP3s overtook Virgin Megastores. Google in many respects has overtaken Microsoft.
The “Let’s Go” motto is vital to the success and growth of any online business so while thoughtful planning is a necessity, timely execution is needed to win.
New Mac mini from Apple.
Yeah, So What?
I was reading as tech article in the New York Times, Editor’s Pick (Boo! Put all the news in there) on my iPad that contained a blurb from CNET about whether Foursquare’s growth is boxed in. Before even reading the source article I came this conclusion;
So what if it is?
After reading the article, I remained resolute in my knee-jerk reaction to what I had already assumed was the point the writer was going to make in that Foursquare currently appeals mostly to people in cities, who have more check in opportunities.
So what if it is?
One of the cornerstones of Foursquare is about going out to new places and checking in, thereby earning points, badges and mayorships. Just because your town is tiny doesn’t mean that you can’t become the mayor of A & B Pizza? Plus with a lower population density, you can lock that shit down.
The population of New York City according to the 2008 US Census Bureau is 8,363,710. The population for the entire state of North Dakota: 641,481.
So even if only people in major cities use it, that is still a huge userbase for Foursquare to be “locked in” to. Hell, if only 10% of New Yorkers use it that is still all good.
Sorry, North Dakota…
