Kismet Arts Tangent

(1) Chapter 4 “Markets are Conversations” from The Cluetrain Manifesto: The End of Business as Usual by Levine, Locke, Searls & Weinberger (1999, 2001) cluetrain.org;(2) “The Long Tail” from Wired by Chris Anderson (October 2004) wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/tail.html

Listen up. We are tired of being sold to, tired of being “patrons” and just tired. We want our services to speak in a human voice, not some inflated self-important jargon. That’s why facebook, amazon, and Rhapsody are exploding. As the “cluetrain manifesto” expounds:

 ” We like this new marketplace much better. In fact, we are creating it.”

With the Internet’s capabilities and applications, comes the new business model… wait, there isn’t one. But, we’re still stuck in the mindset that products have to earn their keep, as if they were physical things waiting around to be bought. It is a new level of ideas and consumerism, where a national market can respond to the plethora of national products, and even internationally so. Digital products have replaced production costs. What used to be five dollars is now one and the savings can be passed on to you, the consumer… once the corporations have realized it. Some are already on this trend, while others have yet to fathom. Hint, hint, newspapers. You must realize that (according to Chris Anderson and agreeably so) “Suddenly, popularity no longer has a monopoly on profitability.”

What a world we live in. Where it doesn’t matter if you’re great in your town, but if you’re great in someone’s town. I think that thinkers and movers and shakers will be glad to hear (and more importantly understand) that popularity is no longer required for fame and success. The Internet and the digital market is a ray or hope for the misunderstood and the small town rocker. I can imagine that people will be recognized for their ability to convey the human spirit, even if their silo stacking neighbors don’t get it. But, certainly it starts with the online institutions, the reliable recommendations and the user friendly sites that will encourage this sharing and comparing of, what it comes down to, taste.

Anderson advises: “By offering fair pricing, ease of use, and consistent quality, you can compete with free.” The greatest advantage that a drug dealer has with marijuana, is the greatest advantage that the government could have. Maybe I am arguing for two different things, here, but it comes down to the fact that the consumer likes good and easy products versus bad and sketchy ones. Right now, companies are intimidated by the price of “free.” Can we fix it? (Everyone chants) Yes, we can!

Questions:

(1) Chris Anderson mentions the concept of “the psychological value of convenience.” What tasks in your life would be more convenient if it were digitized?

(2) The Internet is seen as a democratizing medium. How does that concept relate to the hierarchy of consumer and producer?

(3)How will the “a la carte” method of buying music put pressure on music artists?