If the Sean Fanning example shows anything, it shows corporations with all their money, legal teams, influence peddling and research departments are not anywhere near enough to duplicate the creativity of millions of independent 'net users who focus their attention on redefining/streamlining any given market. As millions more individual users come on line from around the world the best of the new ideas and ways of looking at things will make it to the forefront. I think large corporations will be at a distinct disadvantage. As long as we're able to keep the competition and access to capital markets open to the up and coming entrepeneurs. Before giving up and thinking all is lost you should read a new book, the "Tipping Point" which makes the case for an individual making a difference.
The reality is media companies are continually getting paid something or having a favor done in some other area to shape an opinion. This crap about being afraid of the stockholders doesn't wash. Management is given quite a bit of latitude before crossing the line. Yes they have a responsibility to shareholders but they can argue that the integrity of the company is worth far more than a short term payoff. I could just as easily argue that the management should be sued for letting it's reputation get tainted by taking a payoff. The goodwill and fine name of the organization was harmed by accepting money to shape an opinion. The bottom line is these gray areas always existed but hopefully self motivated integrity prevails.
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If the Sean Fanning example shows anything, it shows corporations with all their money, legal teams, influence peddling and research departments are not anywhere near enough to duplicate the creativity of millions of independent 'net users who focus their attention on redefining/streamlining any given market. As millions more individual users come on line from around the world the best of the new ideas and ways of looking at things will make it to the forefront. I think large corporations will be at a distinct disadvantage. As long as we're able to keep the competition and access to capital markets open to the up and coming entrepeneurs. Before giving up and thinking all is lost you should read a new book, the "Tipping Point" which makes the case for an individual making a difference.
The reality is media companies are continually getting paid something or having a favor done in some other area to shape an opinion. This crap about being afraid of the stockholders doesn't wash. Management is given quite a bit of latitude before crossing the line. Yes they have a responsibility to shareholders but they can argue that the integrity of the company is worth far more than a short term payoff. I could just as easily argue that the management should be sued for letting it's reputation get tainted by taking a payoff. The goodwill and fine name of the organization was harmed by accepting money to shape an opinion. The bottom line is these gray areas always existed but hopefully self motivated integrity prevails.