My reaction to Netscape paying $1,000 for digg users.

My interpretation of this move is, “we can’t innovate so we’ll just try to bribe people into leaving other services that kick our ass.” Calacanis says that quality is the number one factor that creates winners in this industry. Um, how about marketing?  Did AOL explode because their service was the highest quality or might it have been all those free cds they gave away? Is Windows the dominant operating system because it’s so much better than Mac or because their marketing strategy was better?  The point, quality does not necessarily equal success.

What really bothers me about this move (and Jason’s editorial about it) is that it spits on the spirit of the web. Many of us feel that traditional media/journalism is no longer sufficient because of the inherent conflicts that arise when your core objective is making money, not creating quality content. I believe that is the primary catalyst behind the growth in citizen journalism (a.k.a. user generated content). If Jason wants to create another web site where people are paid to create the content he is free to do that. But let’s call a spade a spade. I think that already exists on countless AOL properties. What the heck is new about this idea…other than the fact that he so shamelessly seeks to bribe people into leaving other services that are genuinely innovative? Oh, and lets not discount the exposure this move is providing him (heck, I’ve already wasted my morning thinking about it and now writing about it).

Look, this might help make AOL more money and give Jason Calacanis more of the spotlight, so kudos to him if those are his objectives. But I think it’s highly disturbing that America Online is supporting this move to bribe people from using competitive services. My advice to them would be, “for once, just try to create something truly innovative instead of letting people like Jason Calacanis try to pay people for using your services.” 

Lastly, I want to say very clearly that I respect what digg is trying to accomplish.  They are the pioneers of user powered content. The clipmarks approach is quite different from theirs, but the essence, spirit and soul of what we hope to accomplish is quite similar. Our dream is to create a platform that people can use to shape their own media experience in a highly collaborative environment instead of being pushed the content that “big media” wants them to see.

Game on! 

Comments

[TeaJay]

Nicely put man.... I do think its lame how these huge corp.s have to use their stock-pile of wealth to buy the userbase. In order to keep us coming back to the trough, I guess.

Exhibit A. MySpace (at least the first to come to my mind, of many)

And to hear this about Netscape is a first read for me. Can I get a link source?

BTW Congrats on rolling out the new page. I came to the extension through mozilla and am enjoying the site. What a great concept and interface is slick.