Disqus - Friends of joshmchugh

Re: WSJ’s factually challenged argument against net neutrality

MattCope — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:53:58 -0000

Yes, I can see how that would be a major cause for concern.

As you can probably tell, I'm looking for a way to fulfill the interests of both the ISPs and the next gen of internet entrepreneurs.

It's difficult, though, to see a future where ISP's aren't utilities. Or worse, utilities facing stiff competition.

Thanks for helping me think through my stupid question.

Re: WSJ’s factually challenged argument against net neutrality

MattCope — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:03:14 -0000

So, if I owned an ISP, I would be very concerned about the commoditization of my services. Because the more my services become commodities, the less I can charge, and the less profit I can earn.

And if I can't earn a profit on my current operations, why would I invest a dime to expand operations? If I'm an ISP, what's in it for me if I run a T3 pipe into Chris Dixon's office and I can't put his feet to the fire if he maxes out that bandwidth?

I highly favor allowing open, equal access. I'm just trying to reconcile this objective with ISP profitability, without which I don't see how we can ever get you a T3 line, let alone get broadband competition into Vermont, Kentucky, etc.

Re: Ten Characteristics of Great Companies

MattCope — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:04:54 -0000

KM,

I think we're on the same page. Money is nothing more than a vehicle to obtain what one values, right?

Some people have done the (often difficult) introspection to determine what it is they actually value (It could be time with family, ability to retire and build boats, time spent living in other cultures, etc. And, maybe some people really do value fast cars - who knows?). And many of those people produce value for other people (and are often compensated with money), save it up, and trade money for that which they value.

And some people don't bother to do the introspection work, and (lazily, IMO) look for social cues for what to value. Often, when they do obtain the bling, cars, bottles, etc., it's hollow - because they don't actually value these things, or even know what they do value. And then - to your point - deception of self and others follows.

It's not the pursuit of values (which can be obtained with money) that bothers me so much, it's the pursuit of values which aren't one's own.

So, what do you think - are we on the same page?

mC

Re: Ten Characteristics of Great Companies

MattCope — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:06:05 -0000

At the risk of exposing myself to backlash, I am *highly* motivated by money - and I know I'm not alone.

I am motivated by the things money can help me do - build new products/features, explore new ideas, etc. - not just backstroking through a swimming pool of gold. Money's the means, not the ends.

So I think Fred stated #8 well: Changing the world is the subject, making money is the predicate - not the other way around.

Re: Consumer Centric Health Care

MattCope — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:11:35 -0000

A lot of my peers (aged 22 - 30) are looking seriously at this option, too - but it's *complicated* if you don't have the background.

Perhaps there's a market for health care fiduciaries...

Re: The Biggest Loser Can Be The Biggest Winner

MattCope — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 13:19:14 -0000

Historical data is pretty conclusive on that - but as you know, past performance is not necessarily indicative of future outcomes.

If we entrepreneurs could collectively produce $150bn in valuations going forward, we could absolutely support $40-50bn in invested capital.

Re: Stocktwits…Working The Social Leverage…Ringing The Closing Bell

MattCope — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:49:04 -0000

Galt Gulch.

: )

Re: The Internet Is Alive And Well (As An Investment)

MattCope — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 11:41:06 -0000

I think you nailed it Tetsuo.

JA's article considers the universe of publicly traded web companies. It's hard to stay innovative with a headcount of 10,000 and a 9-figure budget.

But Fred has the luxury of being able to invest in small groups of hackers with big ideas - and there's way more opportunity for disruption there.

Re: Reputation portability and social network APIs

MattCope — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:17:47 -0000

Nice!

I think Disqus is a slick system - I hope it works well for you.

Re: Robert Scoble Interview with me on Stocktwits

MattCope — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:17:28 -0000

Cool - please post it when it's ready.

Re: Robert Scoble Interview with me on Stocktwits

MattCope — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:19:27 -0000

Is there an RSS feed of the Stocktwits TV videos?

Re: Aggregate, Curate, Publish To Create Local Media

MattCope — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:30:59 -0000

I love this micro-discussion!

I think the goal of millions of PV's is absolutely attainable - for established media brands, e.g., the Village Voice.

When everybody is a publisher, those streams that can capture market share are the ones that accumulate credibility, reputation, and/or brand equity. The easiest way to do that is with the mass media megaphone that VV, NYTimes, WSJ, et al already have.

If you were to start from scratch today (the point of this post), I think you would have to answer the question: how do I build more credibility, reputation, and/or brand equity than the other million publishers out there? It's not easy, but those who manage to do so - the HuffPo's of the world - are those that will rise to the top of the heap.

Re: Bessemer is the bloggiest VC

MattCope — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:31:49 -0000

I talked my friend JD into implementing Disqus on his Blogger blog, newantisocial.com.
Crashed it.
Don't know why they don't play well together!

Re: to your credit

MattCope — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:25:25 -0000

Jerry,
Saw this, thought you'd be interested: http://adage.com/article?article_id=136996
Publicis' Starcom MediaVest owed $121mm - GM's 6th largest creditor.
mC

Re: Youtubing

MattCope — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:51:53 -0000

Fred - thanks.

I don't know him, but I thought the Twitter link feed Doug Estadt built for you was a good first cut at this proposition.

I'm with you. I think building queues across platforms (email, sms, FB, twitter, face-to-face), would be extremely useful. My ultimate would be a system that organizes these recommendations by media vertical - socially recommended queues for articles, books, songs, web videos, movies, etc.

Re: Youtubing

MattCope — Sun, 17 May 2009 12:18:36 -0000

Absolutely - this is how my friends and I share content when we're all in the same room.

What bugs me sometimes is the absence of a good queing system. Doesn't it seem like the loudest person or the person at the keyboard dictates what gets watched next? ...Fred, I'm sure you're very good. : )

I'm dying for a video playlist for whenever someone says "OH! Have you seen MotherLover? We gotta watch that!" MotherLover goes into the queue, and if the group doesn't like it, ffwd to the next piece on the playlist.

Re: My Google Talk On Disruption

MattCope — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:09:45 -0000

David - thanks! I'll have to check that out.

Re: to your credit

MattCope — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:50:00 -0000

Jerry,

Read it in this week's AdAge: http://adage.com/article?article_id=136425

It's an even stickier situation than it looks at first glance, as BBDO, in turn, owes much of that amount to media (local TV, etc.) for buys it placed on behalf of Chrysler.

Nasty.

Matt