So, what is the model? Well, make good, give chance users to create or enhance the product, and ask for no money (or at least not for much and only from a minority of them).
Examples: Google, Wikipedia, Linux, Craigslist, Facebook, Twitter and many derivatives of these, the “open-source” products in general, plus now the whole “green energy” shoot-ups and the ever growing and proliferating non-governmental and non-profit organizations/foundations.
One is almost tempted to celebrate the beginning of the end of the fiercely competitive profit driven capitalism of the last two hundred years. It’s as if the back-street anarchists, the obscure nerds, the ridiculed day-dreaming hippies are set to be the new CEO’s of multi-billion worth enterprises.
So, are we really witnessing the rise to power of the knowledge- and creativity-based service economy that everyone has been predicting for the last 20 years or so?
Frankly, I am a bit at uneasy with this and don’t know what to expect or how to interpret what is happening.
Therefore, I’d like to keep this as an open and ever evolving discussion forum. If you have an opinion about the subject, please share it, like:
- What are your predictions/forecasts about the future of this type of new businesses?
- What do you think are the next developments in this type of economy, the next great ideas/models to emerge?
- If you’re knowledgeable about economy, business administration, finance, do you see any fundamental weaknesses in this model?
- Or maybe you have some questions to rise and would like contributions….
