Fred, apparently you went to a different business school than I did and you must have a different library of business history than I do. May I suggest that you mention a monopoly, any monopoly, that wasn't a wealth creating business. Oil? Railroads? Steel? Autos? Personal computer operating systems? All of those and more created wealth far beyond what existed before those products did. And the wealth created benefited and enriched untold millions, both near and far. Yes, the founders stuffed their pockets but they also added value to their customers which is why folks were eager to give them their money. "Build it and they will come."
What you're doing is mixing economics and politics. Of course governments get their greedy mitts into the mix and screw things up. But that has NOTHING to do with the business model's ability to create wealth. As to the impact of what's happened in other countries, that proves my point about human nature. Go back and read my original post again. It's not a quick read!
As to NXTL and the wireless biz being "new", yes, it has the potential to thump Ma and the babies in the same way that Microsoft thumped IBM but it's no more a new way of creating wealth than I am a Martian.
Here's what you said in your original post:
"What's the internet model: helping, sharing, giving and partnering into a pie that has no limits for the betterment of those participating. Truth and openness DOES MATTER and IS REWARDED. Truth is not co-opted and owned by anyone. It resides at a "higher level" for everyone to respect and share.
What's the old model: taking, hiding, roping, doping, selling one-offs into a fixed zero sum pie for the debasement of those playing the game. Truth has no place in this model. Versions of truth are used by opposing sides to advance competing agendas. With few exceptions, politics and power prevail."
Here's what you're saying now:
"As for evidence the "old model" is dying, just look around the world Arnie. The entire rest of the world's been living in a fixed box defined and limited by political and economic powers that have endeavored to keep the old model going for too long.
I am worried that while this country is being pushed into this "new model" they long for the "old" to continue. Can they legislate limits on the internet?
Nextel is "new", the old Ma Bell is old. Every new wave of new growth and wealth has been defined by a breaking down of "old ways"."
So, Fred, which is it? First you said that the "new model" is, to quote you from above, "taking, hiding, roping, doping, selling one-offs into a fixed zero sum pie for the debasement of those playing the game. Truth has no place in this model." Now you say, "Every new wave of new growth and wealth has been defined by a breaking down of "old ways"."
I agree that each new wave of innovation requires, nay, demands that the old ways break down. But what you have done, as illustrated above, is to change the subject. The "old ways" are not those negative things you listed. Those things ALL STILL EXIST IN THE MARKETPLACE, EVEN ON THE INTERNET. IT WILL ALWAYS BE THUS.
I know that you have a gut feeling about what the wireless/internet world will look like but so far you have not been able to transfer your feelings into ideas that will pass the taste/smell test. Keep working at it but forget that baloney above good vs. evil - the notion that wireless/internet will change human nature. It won't happen.
Arnie
P.S. I think what you're trying to say is that Ma Bell and her babies are on the way to becoming extinct. Ok, if that's your point, I'll bite - so what? |
