Posts tagged with 'donella meadows'
Conclusion: The American Way
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“We’re watching hundred of billions of [bailout] dollars being spent unaccountably to support supposedly our ‘American way.’ I think at some point we have to ask whether or not the ‘American way’ includes journalism.” – John Battelle
Do Americans view journalism as a public good that is critical to our country’s intellectual infrastructure and American exceptionalism? Do they believe that the strength of our democracy depends on a diverse and free press? (more…)
New Abundances and Their Effects
As physical limitations for how media is distributed and consumed decline, the competitive landscape changes fundamentally. In short, new abundances have turned the economics of distribution on its head.
For example, “loss-leader strategies” are inverted. (For more information about “loss-leaders,” a product sold below costs to create other sales, download Vol. 2, Chapter 4 of The Big Thaw.) Companies used to give away 1% of a product, such as perfume, to get the samplers to buy the other 99%. Now, companies such as Flickr or Skype give away 99% (often called a “freemium”) to sell 1% in the form of premium purchases. For example, Flickr Pro costs $25 per year. This flip has generated new abundances of products. (more…)
Journalism’s Old Paradigm: Are We Facing a Glacier or a Flood?
“If no paradigm is right,” Donella Meadows, a pioneering environmental scientist and respected systems thinker, pointed out, “you can choose whatever one will help to achieve your purpose.” The best strategy will stem from asking: “So, what? What will media do for people?” says Amy Gahran of the Poynter Institute. By strengthening the collective agreement about independent media’s ultimate aim, The Media Consortium (TMC) can help its members shift paradigms more easily, choose the most effective game changers and better weather any industry shifts to come.
While changes to the news industry advanced at a glacial pace for many years, as Clay Shirky claimed, transition often comes as quickly as the levees that broke in New Orleans. Trigger events can cause sudden floods before new a system is in place to prevent it. (more…)
Journalism’s Old Paradigm: Resistance and Denial
“No one has been ‘caught up in this great upheaval’ about the fall of print business model. This change has been more like seeing oncoming glaciers ten miles off, and then deciding not to move.” —Clay Shirky
Technological innovations have been changing the game for over a decade. The current monumental shift is nothing new. However, there is a difference between knowing that significant change is coming and recognizing how best to react, which is a process that can take many years. (more…)