Given how many seem to enjoy the great puzzles I wrote about in a previous post, I thought I would write about some more. So here are a couple more great puzzles and paradoxes: Searle’s Chinese Room and the Monty Hall Problem.
In my previous post on this subject, I claimed that the revenue sharing model would provide an income stream to the general public that has never previously been accessible before. The central idea behind this claim was that many common activities on the internet, such as posting links, and embedding videos, serve as distribution points for content. As this process replaces (at least in part) the traditional role of distribution, it provides real value to those that produce the content. Hence, there exists a natural rationale for the content producers to provide a monetary reward for this act of distribution. In this post, I want to examine some of the possible effects the involvement of the general public in this kind of process may have. While the benefits of this revolutionary change will be enormous, the potential cost will probably be just as profound. The language of the debate elevates quickly into that of hyperbole – where some are quick to claim that the very thing at stake is the human soul itself. What it certainly does point to is the very conflicted relationship we all have as individuals to the capitalistic system that determines the substances of our lives. The thesis I propose is this: that for the first time in the history of capitalism people will have the choice to either opt in, or out of one of the fundamental processes that drives it – resolving the conflict one way or the other for that individual. We will see how this will come about in the sections below.
We are on the precipice of a revolution - though it’s something of which we are scarcely aware. Part of our ignorance stems from its obscure potential, but revenue sharing will be something that will come to dominate the very minutiae of our lives -whether we like it or not. The idea, in a nutshell, is that all parties involved in shuffling traffic around this grand internet highway of ours will be given a cut in the revenue. At first glance this doesn’t seem like much of a big deal - but it will be the catalyst for massive social change. It will be the enabling condition for millions of ordinary people who suddenly gain access to an income stream that never existed before. But it will also be the cause of great social alienation - the likes of which we’ve never seen before. The question then, is how will we deal with it once it comes? How can we make the most of it as an opportunity - without selling our souls in the process? This will be the first in a two part post that examines first the nature of the revolution, and secondly the potential impact this will have on us as a society.
It will be a brave new revenue sharing world
I’ve chosen this title deliberately - with a sense of great irony. Perhaps you’ve been lured here in the hope of finding tips to help you in your quest to become an A-list blogger. You saw the title and couldn’t resist. You want the tips and tricks that will send the masses to your blog. Well - don’t worry. I really will give you the secret to writing fantastic copy, but perhaps not in a way you expect. If I’m successful, you’ll know as much as anyone needs to know about writing good copy - but you’ll not want to use it. The essence of the secret itself will make you want to throw it away - and hopefully make you yearn for something deeper, something more profound.
Generally when someone links to me - I try to check them out. And it makes sense because the fact that they’re linking to you means that their own content would be stuff you would like. So I thought a nice gesture would be to profile briefly the top 5 sites that linked to me - partly as a thanks for the link, but also because I think their content is worth the look.
For those interested in the Liar Paradox and would like to read an interesting solution, my thesis supervisor Nick Smith has written a paper.
For a bit of fun I decided to try out the new Lord of the Rings Online game yesterday - since they were giving away beta licenses for free.? It’s one of those massive multiplayer games in the vein of World of Warcraft - I wanted to see what it’s all about.? What […]
Media organisations have often been accused of bending the truth for the sake of a story.? It’s a disturbing phenomenon because of the degree of influence such institutions have.? They directly shape how we think and feel about the world beyond our immediate experience.? But in a recent case in Australia it […]