The Doc Searls Weblog : Re: Thursday, September 23, 2004

The Doc Searls Weblog : Re: Thursday, September 23, 2004: “In reference to Dr. Weinberger’s comments perhaps a perspective that ‘business’ will (at least some of it) understand is as follows:
– When we (consumers) ‘consume’ content we are, in fact, using a limited resource – namely our TIME and ATTENTION. If you (business) provide us with what we want, in turn we give you are attention and time. In the case of most digital media at a time and place of our choosing, not yours (and with DVR’s such as Tivo we now consume TV content in this manner as well)
– Advertisers and advertising supported content has long understood the value and scarcity of attention and time, but most other content producers have been focused on getting compensation directly from us (the consumers) ‘for’ that content – instead of finding a way to be compensated by someone (us and/or other parties) for occupying our (consumers) time and attention.
Consider the impact that various ‘thought leaders’ – on and offline have in helping shape consumer action. Oprah being perhaps the biggest example of this – with the ability to singlehandedly make a book a bestseller. The ‘Slashdot’ or ‘boingboing’ effect online is a similar phenomenon – lots of attention and time from many parties quickly focused on a single thing. Queer Eye for the Straight Guy is another example of a content show that can influence many consumer’s behaviors. Atkins is another example of content (their diet books) influence massively consumer behavior.
As a consumer my time is a scarce commodity. I ‘spend’ it on only a limited amount of content – for me much of it online. At some point I am willing to ‘pay’ for the content that I value – subscribing to a magazine (on or offline) which I value, buying a book from someone whose other content I enjoy (Cory Doctorow “