#1: Tapscott & Williams (Wikinomics)

I kind of made this WAY longer than expected, I started and just had more and more to add. My overall viewpoint of Wikinomics is that it is too optimistic, that it wouldn’t fully work in this current time for all applications. But this is just my understanding of the reading, please offer your counter-arguements for anything I write here~ It would definitely help me open my perspective in understanding this concept further.

There are some things that I feel need clearing up if open sourcing is ever going to work (fully). First there’s the problem of those trying to make wikinomics work in a capitalist world. If everything is going to be open for everyone to contribute and remix, what then are people going to trade for it with? There’s only so much we can trade with, and eventually (in a really long time) I would think that there will be nothing left to trade for necessities. I like the idea, and I see it being partially implemented in sites such as YouTube, DeviantART, and other similar sharing sites. However, I think it’s important to point out that those sites are often in dispute with copyright holders (have you noticed many videos are often taken off on YouTube because they are in violation? Or on DeviantARt, many artists have their works stolen and put up under another artist’s name, or worse, ideas being taken to be mass produced for money without their permission.) Those sites usually also have a disclaimer saying that whatever you put onto their site, they have ownership rights to distribute it however they want (without asking your permission). Although I like the idea, I also think it’s a bit too utopian-like, at least in this current time. Makers are not yet ready to lose their individualism of their ideas; currently their way of making a living. Also, with mass collaboration, nothing would be special anymore (since everything will be shared with everyone, that would also mean everyone would have complete capability to copy anyone). I hate to think in such a negative way, but there it is. As an artist, sure open sourcing for develpmental purposes is possible, but when it comes down to what you sell, (the expression, story, design), how would open sourcing work? You would risk someone else using your exact design, and they may possibly claim it as their own. That would then mean extra competition on the same exact items instead of similar (but different) items.

I think it’s important to define the difference between open source, and customization. Open source I gather, should be completely free, however customization you still have to pay for a service but can offer your input.

I’m inclined to believe that open source would only work with certain industries. Many of the examples provided in Wikinomics were technology/information related. Linux and Skype, they do offer free services, however they are also offering paid-only services. Not to mention with Skype, you are paying for internet to use their “free” internet phone. Other phone calling requires a fee. How exactly would open source work with say Coca Cola? Everyone has a different opinion on how things should be made, would it just be a on-going dispute?

I also question how Doctorow is profitable. If he gives away all his novels for free, how exactly is he making money in this capitalist society? He must be selling something, or asking for donations somewhere.  I’d like to point out as well though, not in a disrespectful way, but that this HUMN-306-SU90 course, is not literally free for everyone (seeing how I, and the rest of the students in this course, are paying for it.) In relation to wikinomics then, what exactly can those with lesser qualifications (ie those learning) offer up to those who’ll teach? The MIT example (23), one aspiring student can access that information online without offering a penny, however, countless students pay more than her share, to study at MIT. For what reason then are they all paying to study there when they can access all the courses online for free?

I notice that many of the examples provided in Wikinomics so far, are all “free for using their software / program/ etc”, but not free for their service. This is something I read to help me understand how they make any profit. http://www.builderau.com.au/strategy/businessmanagement/soa/How-to-make-money-from-Open-source/0,339028271,339191343,00.htm