Uploading is the democratic part of broadband. It is the tool of the individual against big brother. User-generated content (UCG) is vital to this revolution – Harriet Wakelam.
Do you know how many videos YouTube has created? I would say that it is rather close to zero – we, the people formerly known as the audience, have created almost all of the value on YouTube. This is user-generated content. It’s the same for Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Slideshare, Flickr and hundreds of other social networks. We built the Web’s value.
The Internet is an empty shell; or just a protocol connecting a world of ends [originally on worldofends.com by Weinberger & Searls but the domain has been re-purchased]:
- The Internet isn’t complicated
- The Internet isn’t a thing. It’s an agreement.
- The Internet is stupid.
- Adding value to the Internet lowers its value.
- All the Internet’s value grows on its edges.
- Money moves to the suburbs.
- The end of the world? Nah, the world of ends.
- The Internet’s three virtues:
- No one owns it
- Everyone can use it
- Anyone can improve it
Recently, I wrote the stub of the Curmudgeons Manifesto with some thoughts on how we need to collectively change our behaviours in order to foster a more open Web. In response to some comments, I responded:
My main interest in continuing this conversation is to ensure that others understand the cost of creating content on proprietary platforms and then losing control after it’s too late. Maybe I should I re-name it the “Pro-actively Pragmatic Primer”?
Here is what I hope is only the start of a more positive manifesto. Based on the above three virtues of the Internet, I suggest the Virtuous Internet Manifesto.
- We understand that the Internet’s three virtues are, and must continue to be, that 1) No one owns it; 2) Everyone can use it and 3) Anyone can improve it.
- We know that the true value of the Internet is on the edges and that each one of us is a Net contributor.
- We will use and promote open data on the Internet that each of us can control as we see fit.
- We will share openly on the Internet and not constrain those with whom we share.
- We will lead by example and share what we have learned to keep the Internet open for all.
- We will help to lead others out of the temptation of using web services that do not respect privacy, re-use, open formats or exportable data.
Searls & Weinberger conclude World of Ends with, “We have nothing to lose but our stupidity.”
