Writer, Agilist, Elder Geek
As I've noted a few times I'm pretty much only playing Dragon Quest IX game-wise. It's a great, deep, addictive, and just plain fun RPG with a lot to do, plenty of character, and some great challenges.
It's also got a very interesting amount of Downloadable Content.
So as I mentioned last post, the Media Geekonomy is stuck in an Extraction mentality where members of it (Fans, Support, Creators) are often trying to get the most out of their situation. This is exacerbated by regular business practices, attitudes, and technology changes. It's an unpleasant situation, and it can't last forever – because there's a lot of simmering pathology and problems.
Me I'd like it solved because I can see a lot of continuing unpleasantness. I can see more lawsuits and bizarre regulations designed to limit the choices of Fans and keep Creators under control by those in the Support sector. I can see ignorant companies folding, unaware of how the market has changed until they die off. I see Creators loosing out on opportunities or being denied them.
So let's ask what we want the Media Geekonomy to be, and I'd say that the opposite of Extraction (getting as much as possible) is Sustainability. Sustainability is about making sure you have enough now and in the future.
Last column I discussed the fact that the Media Geekonomy is an area of conflict, an Exctraction Economy where different factions are in conflict. Fans want things cheaper, the Support people want to make money and keep their good position, and the Creators of media want money and stability. Their interests don't line up and often end up adverse.
So how did this happen?