DISQUS

I think the biggest problem is that Twitter lets you have more friends (as Guy Kawasaki will testify) - making it more suitable for marketers. But if marketers start using other services over Facebook, it looses high profile, well-connected, power users that may influence other's behavior. After all if I have to follow Guy Kawasaki (or Tom Friedman) on Twitter - because Facebook won't let us be friends - I end up using Twitter. (I guess that's why they built the "page" for famous people but its still not the same.)

I wrote about the same issue in 2007 - the internet is the platform for identity & communications - not a single company.

Bird Flu Marketing - the idea is that you want your idea to be spread like Bird Flu - fast and wide.

Good Spam. - the idea is to play on people's hate and strong cognition of the word Spam - a great referral is kinda like good spam. Can also be "Good Spam Marketing".

There will be Flood (to steal a line from There will be Blood).

Duct Tape Referrals idea is excellent.

I agree with you that this is less about Google v Microsoft than it seems - or at least its not a direct fight for search and advertising only.

I encourage you to read my post and see if we *bloggers get it* or not before you call us all nuts.

From my view point, Microsoft is going after the new internets - this includes mobile but extends to your car, tv, living room (gaming) and more. These are the new internets and no one has a lock on it yet.

Zoli, This is a very thought-provoking piece. I would agree with the theme. If you are considering hiring someone with a big company background, I would ask the following:
- What is motivating this person? Is it a quick buck or is she passionate about the technology/product/market?
- What does this person's life tell me? Has he had it easy working for the cash-cow of the big company or has he struggled on the smaller products (startup within an enterprise)? Has he seen products fail?
- Was he hands on? What was the last time he wrote code or even a whitepaper or such? How big was his empire?
- Has he gone out of his way to engage in entrepreneurship?

Yes, the big company culture can make people (especially in executive roles) assume infinite resources but I also believe that there are hundreds (if not thousands) of smart, hungry engineers and managers at large companies that have gained industry insight and are eager to go out in the real-world.

Disclaimer: I am biased. Worked for a Big Database Corp. in the recent past.

I am *really* flattered. If only now we could come up with a way to make money on this. Wait, we can. By creating a market for Prediction-backed Securities (kinda like the Mortgage-Backed Securities and CDOs). I am sure Citi's new CEO is looking for 'innovation' to help get out of the current mess. ;)

You forgot my fiercest punch of the day - "Nick Carr doesn't understand Anything". I think its the most thoughtful piece on this topic. ;)

Jake,
Thanks for the thumbs up.

I can conduct a valuation analysis for your blog (like what the Wall St guys do). I will charge a 0.5% fee which is very nominal. (0.5% of the trillions you will get valued at!)

Anshu