The future of News Fusion -- Googlezon?

[indie]

http://mccd.udc.es/orihuela/epic/ols-master.html

This is a fairly lengthy flash media presentation (not recommended for dial-up) that chronicles a prediciton for the future of the media up until the year 2014, when the commentator believes that "the news media as we now know it" will have dissolved, and "Googlezon" (a fusion of Google, TiVo, and Amazon) will rule.

Though I doubt things will progress exactly as he predicts, I do think that he makes some highly interesting points . . . shall we discuss?

[indie]

Please tell me someone else finds this as interesting as I do? Granted, it's a bit dramatic (especially toward the end), but the mere notion that it or something like it could happen is simply fascinating. I guess I just think the idea that an alliance of businesses could become so big is scary . . .

It brings to mind the question of 'When and how much should government limit big business?' IMO, big business is far more dangerous than big government. (Yes, this statement *is* coming from an MBA) =P At least a government has checks and balances. Businesses can tell their accountants to report whatever they want them to report. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely *adore* Google, but its founders will want to retire sooner or later. After that, business politics will set in.

Guess I'm digressing here . . . Is there a potential point where business is more powerful than the government, and if so, what are the consequences?

[mgb]

I think Google and Amazon are already fused.

You might like a book called Looking Backwards: 2000-1887 by Edward Bellamy

[Groty]

Very very interesting.

No mention of the Wiki projects though. They only focused on news and shopping.

I am concerned with the snooping potential, but that is easily solved, just don't use it! I don't know if you've ever seen the demographics information available for purchasing now. It's quite comprehensive, scary, and often inaccurate(For some reason I apparently own my parents home).

I would hope that such a mechanism would drive down the cost of products and services for consumers. Artificial Intelligence is basically what we are talking about. Pinpoint marketing would be far less expensive, but would the savings be passed to us, the consumers? Doubtful. Companies would just become more bloated. Accountants would have to doodle the books big time. How can a company go from selling a given product at a cost of $150 per order down to $15 per order, nearly overnight?

This could probably kill the television networks too. Why pipe 150 channels to customers when they are most likely to be watching 1 or 2 different programs at any given time. Skip the networks, just provide the shows and movies, and pinpoint the commercials to each individual user.

Fascinating!

[mgb]

I think cost would only be fixed if there was one company. With multiple companies they charge whatever they can and then some. Until profit is no longer the bottom line it will keep happening.

Also there will be even more channels, just fewer networks. They will all market something different.