Web 2.0 Goes Mainstream

Looks like the "new is old" yet again. How do we know the rush is over? Social media's demograhics are starting to look more like the regular web (did you know almost 40% of social network users on Facebook, MySpace and Friendster are between 35 and 54 according to Comscore?) and investment is predicted to slow (after stunning growth last year, it should be pointed out.)

Frankly, I think this is great news because it means that we'll get down to really figuring out how to integrate this wonderful new technology into our economy more fully, explore real revenue models and probe the essence of why it's valuable to people. This 'big shift' in influence from top-down to around-and-around that we all talk about, fear and welcome will begin to become real on a broader scale as well. Already I hear more "buzz" about Web 2.0 in the product development meetings than just the marcom meetings, and that tells me companies are looking more seriously at social media as revenue generating instead of simply a froth machine.

All that said, I still like a little froth on my cappuccino. With social media's ability to give voice to the 'common wacko' and to the independent expert alike, I doubt seriously we're in for a bare-topped cup.

Comments

[Lindy Dreyer]

I'm also interested to see how the shift you describe will play out. Do you think ubiquity of social media technology will make creating value just that much more difficult? The more competition in the space, the more we need to rise above and be remarkable.