http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/12/21/psfk/
While reading the above article on Fortune magazine’s online edition, I was struck once again by the changing world in which we live. PSFK is a great example of the new breed of network-based entrepeneurs. They have exploded onto the scene since the 90’s at an ever increasing rate. It is stereotypical of the changes that have been brought about by networks…aka, the internet.
Everyone who has something to say, can say it. Of course, at the beginning that meant ‘Geocities’, ‘AOL’ and the other millions of obscures webpages that no one looked at. Yet, over time, the diamonds started to shine and people with genuinely unique perspectives and ideas came to the forefront. As Malcolm Gladwell discusses extensively in his book ‘Outliers’, there is no model for success. We cannot plan it or wrap it up in a cute package that we can pass on to our kids. We live in the generation of black swans.
The difference in the price of PSFK and Forrester Research’s reports is rightly brought out as emblematic of the new world based around networks. Forrester is definitely the old school. PSFK is the new school. We no longer live in the world of big CEO’s or world leaders who will save us from all evil. People want to pay for things that are innovative and interesting. They don’t want to pay for a tradition built around formal structures thought up my old, white men smoking cigars in the gentlemans clubs of 19th century New York and London. The internet has become the new playground for breaking out of the formal structures of the past.
However, the question remains…will people really stand out or will we simply get sucked into a world of superficial individualism? A world in which people are taking individual responsibility to pursue what interests them and improve the world is a phenomenal thing. At the same time, I don’t thinking posting random videos of yourself or your children all over the web means that we are individuals.
For lack of finding something original to say we end up saying everything and we hope that someone will find it original.
conextions 
Cindy
December 23, 2011
Looking forward to hearing more from you.