Marc Andreeson, a Silcon Valley guru, had these kind words for Old Media this week: “Burn down the boat” -
In this article from TechCrunch, Andreeson tells the print news media that they should stop their paper business right now (i.e: burn the boat) in their own interest; so they can focus on their future business model, which is online.
REALLY ???
So let me get this straight: although printed news is declining, it still represents most of this industry’s revenues. And now, it should be terminated ?
From a business perspective, this doesn’t make much sense. We all agree that the web will keep growing as a major platform for content. And we all agree that industries should never underestimate disruptive technologies. But arent’ we going a little overboard ?
Common business sense, and scholar research (see the excellent “Innovator’s Dilemma“), show how essential it is for companies to transition their business models so they don’t miss major disruptions (such as the web for print media), while drawing the most of their existing business. I.e: Don’t leave the boat too early if there is still money in it!
From an ideological perspective, this article makes much more sense. It is yet another case of the Silcon Valley wanting the world in general and the content industry in particular, to see the world turn the way they do. Not a week goes by without a murderous article in otherwise smart publications such as WIRED, where some web guru calls for “Free Content For All” and the death of mass media.
Why be so agressive ? Why be so ideological ?
Don’t listen to “net neutrality” and “don’t be evil” slogans. There is a war going on between new media and the old paid content industry. And as in most wars, ideology is a major weapon.
So next time you read that “old content providers are outdated and should listen to the Silicon Valley and the wave of the future”, ask yourself: “Is there a hidden agenda ?” “Am I reading WIRED, or the little red book”?
I love the image you’ve used.
As another interesting aside, you’ll notice how little new ‘content’ is produced by blogs and web-only outfits. “Old Media” is the only thing that still produces *new* stuff.
Just ask yourself how many youtube channels or blogs can compete, solely on the basis of fresh, new, original content with big media outfits, studios, or newspapers.
But hey, everything should be free.