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Forums > Discussions From the First 'We' Book > Chapter Discussions
Subject: Chapter Idea : Why it works?
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abhishek.thakore
Posts:22
03/22/2007 9:39 PM Alert 
A chapter towards the beginning of the book exploring why Web 2.0 works - what are the trends, underlying currents and local contexts that make Web 2.0 happen....

barry
Posts:72
03/23/2007 2:44 PM Alert 
that would be great - would you be interested in being the chapter leader?

Barry
abhishek.thakore
Posts:22
03/23/2007 8:47 PM Alert 
Yes I'd love to!

Here are some initial hypothesis that, once validated could become sections in the chapter....

Basically there are two parts I believe to why Web 2.0 works...one is at the individual level and the other at the overall environment level

At the individual level, some basic causes can be traced as follows :

globalisation -> nuclear families -> need to connect to like minded people -> Web 2.0

mass societies -> anonymity -> media noise -> need for recognition amongst a community -> Web 2.0

opening of communication across borders -> curiosity and need to explore cultures -> safe spaces to explore thoughts across cultures -> web 2.0

overpowering capitalism -> need to move from the selfish human being assumption -> need to contribute -> idea contribution -> Web 2.0

At the overall context the key thots are

Ideas being intangible -> can be multiplied infinitely -> basic conflict over scarcity ends

Thoughts from the landmark paper "Cathedral and Bazaar" - suddenly instead of being a skilled artisan, you can join an infinitely huge bazaar and vend your skills....

Infrastructurally - the two trends, compression of data and expansion of bandwidth together make the pipes (the networks) more and more useful

Finally at the overall level, I belive, for the first time perhaps, humanity is willing to let go of its selfishness (towards its community or nation state) for the cause of humanity at large.....this to me is the most exciting aspect....and people are in becuase they want to be a part of this....
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