I obviously hit a nerve with my last post. My index for quality of post has evolved to the number of "you suck", "broadcast.com sucks", "You got lucky", etc posts that are submitted but never confirmed. For this post it was off the charts. Good.
When people resort to personal comments. Its usually a good sign.
Among those I respect, there were a lot of great responses. Let me first say, my position on this has nothing to do with HDNet. I've not abandoned the net. In fact i have more than 100 RSS feeds and untold other sites Im involved with.
Ive been inundated with spam on Myspace. Used flicker. Used Digg for sourcing news and laughed at the unending ridiculousness of its posters. Used and posted to Youtube, Google Video, DailyMotion, Veoh, Flickr, Slideshare, used every bittorrent client, got bored with twitter after 7 minutes, signed up for other findme, find you, this is where I am, this is where you are, type app I could find, and the lists go on and on. I read techmeme, techcrunch, extremetech, and tons of other tech sites and I make a point to try every and any new site that seems the least bit plausible or interesting. I spend far far too much time on the net just to make sure I keep up and know whats going on.
Honestly, its just a bigger, more time consuming version on CompuServe Forums from back in the day (Find someone who participated in the OS/2 forums if you want to know about social networks). Only back then you didn't call People friends, they were just forum members.
I have a ton of Internet investments that you dont and wont know about.
i have loaded and used facebook apps and I have downloaded the API documentation and actually read it. I'm such an exciting guy, I downloaded Ruby on Rails and read the documentation as well. That's what Saturday Nights are for.
I have bought installed and integrated every imaginable wireless device in my house. I think its fun.
I have invested in and gotten involved with application development on Facebook. Had a serious discussion with Facebook about the revenue opportunities they could achieve if they would license their API for full scale commercial applications on other websites. For example, to me, it would be an interesting and potentially explosive business move for Yahoo to license the Facebook API for their Panama platform. I think the beauty of Facebook is that people for the first time have defined and opened up the "database of their lives". Which if integrated into an advertising platform like Panama would allow advertisers to truly personalize ads, rather than algorithmically present ads. To me it was an interesting conversation.
I think it could change the way advertising is handled on the net. Each user could have the option to publish certain fields/objects which could be replicated/peered to the licensees of the API and then integrated Into the ad serving application. When the user showed up on the licensee site, say Yahoo Finance, the ad server could present a contextual ad chosen based on the published objects within the context of the Yahoo content.
Its one of many good or bad ideas that are feasible because the net is the plain vanilla boring, never really changing platform that it is.
Guess what. When things go from exciting to stable and boring in the technology world, that's a good thing.
Call me a cynic. I feel the same way about Personal Computers. Faster processors dint do it for me. Installing Vista was a disaster till I read a copy of CPU magazine and used the OS mods they had in there to clean the junk up. Its sad but true that a 25 year old platform is more volatile than the Internet. It still takes so long to boot that for the first time since I had a Mac in 1990 I bought a Macbook and junked my Vista Laptop. My time is at a premium. The days of being concerned that if I bought a Mac there might be some apps that I could use but the wouldn't run on the Mac are long gone. Not because the Mac has an Intel processor, but because I cant really think of any new off the shelf software that I would get excited to buy.
Beyond Office and email, I spend a ton of time on the net. That boring platform that ain't gonna change and is dead in the excitement category.
What do I get excited about ?
I'm excited about Virtual Machines, as I have written before, and the changes and impact they could have on all of us. I get fired up about the continuing decline in flash and hard drive prices. Its amazing to me after all these years of watching drive prices fall that I can buy more than 500gigs of drive for under 100 bucks. That i can buy a 16gig flash drive for not much more. and it still pisses me off that i have to deal with file size limits that require me to manage my email files when I back them up.
And of course I'm excited about the HDTV space and whats happening there. Maybe some people dont think peoples media consumption patterns change when 70" HDTVs are installed in their homes, I do.
Which brings me to why I said that "The Net is Dead and Boring"
The best way to sum up how I feel about the excitement and opportunities on the net compared to the many other personal and corporate technology options out there is to use a Yogi Berra quote.
"Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded"
When everyone is looking for gold in the same river, the best opportunities are somewhere else.
But hey, that's just me.
The Internet Is still Dead and Boring
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(Page 1)2. Mark,the NET is addictive, it doesnt matter if its boring or dead, we are going to stay with it. We became web junkies.
The truth is we live in a wired world.
The increase of non-sense websites all over the Net is going to make it even worse, but lets wait to see the next website venture,maybe with the name: Facebo/youtub/flic/myspac/delici/dig/mashu/
3. Just as you draw parallels between the old school CompuServe Forums and Facebook, I can draw parallels between old school television broadcasts and HDTV. That is, HDTV comes from the same river basin the original television broadcasts came from. Just as new technology made room for HDTV, the Internet will *eventually* evolve to make room for new applications.
This supports your original claim that bandwidth throughput to users homes needs to increase to help make the Internet interesting again. I agree, we do need to evolve our bandwidth throughput in order for the technology to become interesting again. Unfortunately, ISP's arent likely to do that anytime soon because they can make money off their existing infrastructure.
While we may be maxing bandwidth throughput in the "last mile" with todays appetite for high quality media, there certainly is no lack of interesting content being provided atop these applications and services. HDNET, for example. I gotta give props to Friday night MMA in high definition. Not to mention some of the other programs available on HDNET. Too much Star Trek though. :-)
Sure, we might not see fresh technology until we increase bandwidth to peoples homes but the digital technologies available today are creating platforms for people to come up with fresh and interesting content.
For example, I've seen parts of the world I would have never seen had it not been for YouTube, Google Maps (streetview is cool) and other technologies.
Todays tech, though boring in from a technologists POV, is exposing everybody to new and interesting content that may give them the next big idea that will revolutionalize the Internet.
Mashups are nothing new, but this one cracks me up all the time. You may not view this as "fresh" content but I was rolling the first time I saw it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM5GxsEJL8Y
Posted at 2:09AM on Aug 27th 2007 by Jordan
4. I think the internet is a means to an end and not the end itself - so I have no issue with your statement. Business carries on regardless.
If soemthing bores you though it is a sign you've lost interest and probably says more about you than about the medium/platform/workspace etc.
So the best thing is spend more time with your family / friends. Turn off all those devices. BTW I lasted almost 1 hour on twitter - now that one is is pointless.
The internet is only really interesting if it puts you in touch with interesting people and opportunities. HAve you seen www.thespectacle.net project on media etc.
Have you read "This is your brain on Music?"
Have you watched all 105 videos over at TED.com?
Have you listened to the new Ryan Adams album / the new Over the Rhine album smelled the flowers, made your wife breakfast in bed; you get the idea....
Take a break from the internet there is plenty else on.
Maybe you just need a good bungy jump?
Posted at 5:20AM on Aug 27th 2007 by Jason Kemp
5. the problem with the web is that most everyone is pursuing it from a tech angle. the next real opportunity on the web, IMO, is in creative talent leveraging commoditized technology to create better new media experiences. but we're not going to get there until someone figures out a profitable open licensing system for content.
Posted at 7:32AM on Aug 27th 2007 by kid mercury
6. @kid mercury
"but we're not going to get there until someone figures out a profitable open licensing system for content."
The solution you are refering to is here:-
www.wherearethejoneses.com
Where are the Joneses? is a completely open licence media project sponsored by Ford Motor Company.
- Audience write the script under Creative Commons BY-SA
- We make the media, and release it under Creative Commons BY-SA
- The project is played out over all the usual web2.0 services (wordpress, youtube, wikidot, flickr etc)
I'll be writing about the commercial mechanics after the project completes it's first run in early September.
Drop me a line if you want to know more
zeroinfluencer@gmail.com
Posted at 8:00AM on Aug 27th 2007 by David Bausola
7. While everyone seems to be carrying on about your comments and all of the things that they like about the 'Net, I tend to agree with most of your assertions this time. I remember when I got my first Compaq laptop and started to access what was known as the "World Wide Web" on the first incarnation of AOL (I had tried others, but AOL was simple for the "quick" experience), and the excitement that I felt at charting some new territories through technology. There were new programs every week, new ground gained on websites development and numbers on a daily basis, and new hardware and gadgets were being introduced literally every 12 hours.
And then saturation happened. Mobility became synonymous with computing; a "network" could mean virtually anything - social, hardware, or wireless to name a few; and the number of applications on the web are so numerous that the time it takes to wade through them all to find something useful is often to precious to adequately vet even 1/100th of them. I can honestly say that I am so overwhelmed by the numbers of these apps and so underwhelmed by the actual quality, that I am on the edge of just walking away and focusing on becoming proficient with regard to what I already know "pretty well".
We expect things like eBay and Paypal to "just work" - they aren't unique, they are commodities today and we take them for granted. That is where we are today with the 'Net.
Like you, I also bought a Macbook because it was simple - no 2 hour boot times and useless "trial" software - just easy to power up and use computing and that is what I need. Do I like Facebook? Yeah, it's more mature looking than the MySpace nonsense and it could be a great business app, but I am not holding my breath. My mobile handset? I have two - a Blackberry and a simple unlocked Cingular-branded Samsung A707, both of which I am using on T-Mobile's network because it works for me where I need it to work.
Mark, I think that folks who have been around for a spell are bored with the Internet and all of the "it could change the world" crap. It did, but going forward it is a maintenance project and like one of the earlier posts said, changing the world going forward will come from the creativity that can take place on the 'Net's extensive infrastructure, but it won't come from yet another communications platform or text messaging site.
The most exciting thing on the 'Net for me this week? The kid out of New Jersey who cracked the iPhone and showed everyone else how to do it. To a T-Mobile user who thinks that the iPhone is pretty cool and worth owning some day, that was pretty cool because I would never use that piece of shit network that AT&T runs.
Posted at 8:50AM on Aug 27th 2007 by James
8. You are right, you don't make it in this world by following the crowd. Thus the fascination with "Mavericks" I suppose. I have the next concept which has the potential to change the world, and help alot of people if implemented properly, (and of course make alot of money.) Before I decide who to partner with on this, I wanted to give you the opportunity to meet me. I knew I liked you when you hired Dan Rather.
Posted at 10:21AM on Aug 27th 2007 by Mark Hitchcock
9. To paraphrase Frank Zappa, "The internet isn't dead, it just smells funny."
I've worked with all types of computers for 25+ years, and I'd still rather spend my Saturday nights playing basketball in my driveway with my kids, or softball with my buddies. No comparison.
Cuban - You must do the Dancing With The Stars gig, if for no other reason than to be in the same room with Jane Seymour!
Posted at 10:50AM on Aug 27th 2007 by Mike
10. Mark: my private and by invitation social network is www.nosuchnetwork.us if you can find it and navigate the worm hole for an invitation you will not be bored, I promise. Good luck! If you get in, you earned your membership.
Posted at 11:06AM on Aug 27th 2007 by Mary Clemente
11. I laughed out loud when I read the first post because I thought it was one of the greatest pieces of linkbait I've ever read and boy was I right! You started quite a conversation in the blogosphere (which is pretty boring too!).
And BTW, I agree entirely...
Posted at 11:12AM on Aug 27th 2007 by Martin Edic
12. Hooray Internet!!!!
Posted at 12:18PM on Aug 27th 2007 by Dan
13. most people miss marks point.. mainly cause it's the reason why the truly cool things are the things nobody knows about.. it is also the reason why most of you are NOT cool.. even though you think you are(not your fault.. television tells you that you are cool, and that the products they are selling you will just make you that much cooler).
look atart scenes.. the things are best right before they get into the mass media.. This happens because it's a small social group of shared experience; it's exciting it's fun, and a shared message. But as with all new forms of art such as jazz/punk/hip hop/modernism/dadaism come out of the underground into the mainstream then it's dead for that small social group that started it because it hits the mass's and rolls around with the mcdonalds, and starbucks of the world.. the social group that started it does think it's dead because the meaning of the original message has died.. even though the popularity is at it's highest..
also a dallas club example.. sky bar may be filled every night.. with people there to 'be seen'.. but as far as those in 'the know' it is dead. it is boring. it is a bad time.
Posted at 1:08PM on Aug 27th 2007 by cliff notes
15. I believe for the corporate end the infrastructure of the internet is definitely growing big time. Through trends and growth patterns, internet real estate, such as building super colocation centers is turning into some real money, it definitely does not get to the end user, but the opportunity is huge right now in Texas with very little datacenter space available.
Posted at 2:46PM on Aug 27th 2007 by rodney Giles
16. I like your thoughts about the Facebook API and Panama, which is what my company (KickApps) is all about. Personalized ads and content delivery for all kinds of publishers (the "database of their lives" idea) could get interesting.
Posted at 3:11PM on Aug 27th 2007 by Eric Alterman
17. "I think the beauty of Facebook is that people for the first time have defined and opened up the "database of their lives". Which if integrated into an advertising platform like Panama would allow advertisers to truly personalize ads, rather than algorithmically present ads"
Totally agree: http://talkmarks.wordpress.com/2007/07/13/facesence-adsense-for-people/
18. Mark,
I have to say that you appear to be as current about what is happening on the Internet as ever. And I am glad to see it.
It seems an odd paradox that you are digesting the facebook API, getting your head around Ruby, investing in Facebook app companies, and think the Internet is "dead and boring". Maybe its just those words and how I read them compared to how you mean them.
But anyway, that's yesterday's conversation. I too have had some conversations with the Faceboook team about the possibilities of extending the social networks that exist inside of Facebook out to the web. If they do that, they will become a platform in a much bigger and better way, for them and for us. I'd love to see it happen and I think it will, maybe soon.
Fred
Posted at 4:49PM on Aug 27th 2007 by fred wilson
19. Mark
I would love to talk to you about how do we get internet to kids who have never had a drive or access to the information highway. Can you vision kids who could get exposure to the world. Maybe some of there rap music would be about things other then drugs, gangs and killing. Can you imagine the how much it could change communities and future SPORTS STARS.
Posted at 5:49PM on Aug 27th 2007 by Tony Lowden
20. If you haven't already seen this article, its makes an interesting parallel between your take on the internet as a structure and the current Mac OS.
http://www.macworld.com/2007/08/opinion/sept07spotlight/index.php
In a nutshell, it compares the mature OS X to the new and somewhat unchartered world of the OS used on the iPhone.
Interesting thoughts. Thanks for helping to fire the synapses.
Ed
Posted at 6:30PM on Aug 27th 2007 by Ed Dempsey
1. I am excited about virtual machines, too. In fact, you'll see our next generation hypervisor in action on my blog very soon. I'll be recording some screencasts on System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) and Windows Server Virtualization and publishing them over the next couple of weeks. We also kick off a month long series of webcasts in October.
If you want to try some of the code, let me know. I live up in Southlake so I'm local.
Cheers,
Keith Combs
Microsoft
Posted at 1:18AM on Aug 27th 2007 by Keith Combs