~~Media vs Big Tech~~
I'm fascinated by the relationship between media and technology and how it changed in in 2013.
I couldn't figure out what why.
Then it hit me: Media realized Tech is their competitor and that attacking them was profitable.
Here's the story:
(Thread)
I'm fascinated by the relationship between media and technology and how it changed in in 2013.
I couldn't figure out what why.
Then it hit me: Media realized Tech is their competitor and that attacking them was profitable.
Here's the story:
(Thread)
For decades, Tech was the good guy. Tech gave us cars, phones and the internet.
And Media LOVED it: "We can reach more people (and sell more ads) without printing more papers!"
The climax of the story was the 2008 election. Facebook gave us Obama, the first black US president!
And Media LOVED it: "We can reach more people (and sell more ads) without printing more papers!"
The climax of the story was the 2008 election. Facebook gave us Obama, the first black US president!
But sometime in the early 2012-2013, Media realized the Big Tech wasn't their friend. It was their rival, competing for:
- advertising dollars
- attention
- influence
All these games are zero-sum. And Tech was swinging for the fences.
- advertising dollars
- attention
- influence
All these games are zero-sum. And Tech was swinging for the fences.
So Media, threatened by Tech's ambition, started acting.
And as they did, they realized that attacking their competitors by publishing increasingly negative pieces about them brought them get clicks, page views and ad revenue.
Best biz on Earth (or so they thought).
And as they did, they realized that attacking their competitors by publishing increasingly negative pieces about them brought them get clicks, page views and ad revenue.
Best biz on Earth (or so they thought).
At first, it was silently. The conflict of interest had to remain invisible.
But then it was diligently.
In 2016, Donald Trump got elected and Media saw the opportunity to deliver the final blow: position Big Tech (mostly Facebook) as the culprits.
But then it was diligently.
In 2016, Donald Trump got elected and Media saw the opportunity to deliver the final blow: position Big Tech (mostly Facebook) as the culprits.
And now we are here.
Traditional publishing is dying, and Big Tech will emerge from COVID stronger than ever.
I am concerned by this.
Tech is not the underdog anymore but the powerful incumbent. And as all incumbents, they need to be checked, scrutinized and Red Teamed.
Traditional publishing is dying, and Big Tech will emerge from COVID stronger than ever.
I am concerned by this.
Tech is not the underdog anymore but the powerful incumbent. And as all incumbents, they need to be checked, scrutinized and Red Teamed.
But I'm also hopeful.
New ways of journalism where incentives between readers and publishers are aligned (think @theinformation or @decorrespondent) are growing and replacing the old incumbents who can't adapt.
Let's see what the future brings.
/end
New ways of journalism where incentives between readers and publishers are aligned (think @theinformation or @decorrespondent) are growing and replacing the old incumbents who can't adapt.
Let's see what the future brings.
/end
Or I could've just published this chart.
