The Genie is Free

Over the last few months I’ve had a number of conversations with folks about what constitutes a viable business model. I’ve even blogged a bit on the insanity of an advertising-based business model in the vein of Facebook. (What drives me the most crazy about Facebook however is the fact that I strongly believe there is between $5B - $10B in B2B business that they simply have ignored but that’s another story.) The interesting thing is that most of these conversations ultimately turn to Twitter.

I’ll state up front that I do think that Twitter is inane. I really don’t need to know nor care to know what someone is doing or thinking on a regular basis. With that said, I use Twitter largely as an easy way to update my Facebook status and update interested followers on new posts to this blog. I truly believe that Twitter is a fad technology that exists and thrives today because it can. I believe that, unlike Facebook for example, five years from now Twitter will be completely passe and our attentions will have refocused on whatever is hot in 2014. While I’m not sure what that will be I know it won’t be Twitter.

Now, with all that said I have been surprised (pleasantly) by the way Twitter has empowered and energized the Iranian election revolt. It has provided a fantastic platform for communication, flash mobs, and news delivery to the outside world. So, again, the technology has proven it has value and can provide a strong platform for diverse and instantaneous communications. It still doesn’t have a revenue generating business model -- that is, outside of advertising.

This morning I ran across the following stinging obituary from McClatchy Group on the passing of former Defense Secretary Robert McNamera:

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/71328.html

I have to admit that I followed Mr. McNamera’s passing with a sense of historical redemption. Prior to the power of the Internet to share, collaborate and inform, Mr. McNamera’s legacy had dramatically improved over the years since the Vietnam War. It also dawned on me how powerful the anti-war and anti-estabilishment forces were in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Imagine how much more powerful and forceful they could be today with Twitter, email, and cell phones! It’s now only because of the power of online media and blogging that I am forcefully reminded that Robert McNamera was personally responsible for tens of thousands of deaths and that while he died with an improved public perception he could not escape the power of the Internet to remind millions of his role in The Bay of Pigs, Vietnam and the ultimate role of the World Bank in financially undermining and colonizing developing countries throughout the World.

Twitter may not have a financially sound business model but because of it’s power to easily and instantly communicate to millions will always have a place in the world. The Company may disappear one day but the genie is out of the bottle and we’re so much better for it.