Was Web 2.0 the Result of a Suicidal Virus?Posted by Brian Connolly Ever wonder why the Hell it appears that some of your most respected, knowledgeable and intellectually capable colleagues have completely lost their minds in all this Web 2.0 stuff? I mean, perfectly sensible people totally abandoning all logic and critical thinking, and gleefully hopping on the Cluetrain to nowhere. Well, recently Edelman's Steve Rubel helped bring the answer more into focus (rather ironic coming from the head of the Me2Revolution, one of PR's loudest Web evangelists). A few weeks ago Steve said, "I am a recovering Web 2.0-aholic;" and added: "Let's face it, we're skunk drunk and it's because of money. It's almost like we all need to enter Betty Ford Clinic 2.0 together." Poignant. Something is askew for sure. But sobriety isn't the issue. Of all the countless wacky things PR 2.0 cultists have proclaimed in the last few years, there's been little juice actually, i.e. there's been lots of conferences but little in the way of revenue. Take Kami Huyse and "friendz," for instance; these folks are more God-fearing tea-totaling Heaven's-Gate-like anorexic sorority geeks than fat drunkards. Turns out, the cause could be a virus. Watch this: Get the Flash Player to see this video. "The ant has been hijacked by a parasite that infects its brain inducing suicidal behavior." This is Dan Dennett, one of our most important living philosophers. Dennett is currently the Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy and Co-Director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University. He is best known for his provocative and controversial theories on human consciousness. Filmed in February '02, the clip is an excerpt from a talk Dan gave at a renowned TED conference. His presentation here was on the topic of toxic ideas. According to Dennett, "Memes are like viruses, little brain hijackers whose hosts work hard to spread." Think about it! Bookmark This
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Brilliant analogy, and wonderful video. Personally, I do think Web 2.0 has business value, but many adopters aren't bothering to look for it. Your explanation as to why this is hapenning is as good as any.
Such a shame. Now demand for web 2.0 conference tickets and client seminars are starting to lose their lustre, agencies are going to have start working again. Have ideas. Create stories that people want to share with others. Help clients sell more of their products and services. The basics really. Collectively, there's not enough of that going on.
It's nice and non-stressful to talk theory at conferences. But you lose a touch of credibility if you've been rolling out the same powerpoint for 2 years. Give or take the odd URL, that's exactly what's been happening. We really ought to start doing some work. Add Comment
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