User generated industries will combine user generated content and infrastructure
Our global community is evolving. The internet permits point to point communication at (almost) zero cost. The unique content of each individual can be aggregated on the internet to create user generated content. The unused hardware and software of those same individuals can be aggregated to create user generated infrastructure. There are examples of user generated content and user generated infrastructure. Over time, the unique content of each individual and their hardware and software will be combined to create user generated industries.
User generated content
Wikipedia defines user generated content as follows:
User-generated content (UGC) refers to various kinds of media content that is produced or primarily influenced by end-users; as opposed to traditional media producers, licensed broadcasters, and production companies. The term came into the mainstream during 2005 in web publishing and new media content production circles. It reflects the expansion of media production through new technologies that are accessible and affordable to the general public. These include digital video, blogging, podcasting, mobile phone photography and wikis. In addition to these technologies, user-generated content may also employ a combination of open source, free software, and flexible licensing or related agreements to further diminish the barriers to collaboration, skill-building and discovery.
User generated infrastructure
Skype was one of the first to popularise and leverage user generated infrastructure. The world has millions of personal computers linked by the internet. The processors of these computers may operate at 10-20% most of the time and the bandwidth may have similar utilisation. User generated infrastructure is a result of combining this unused capacity of computers for a specific purpose. Skype created a global telephone company. Joost is creating a global television broadcaster. ITunes is moving from music shop to record company. FON is creating a global wireless internet service provider. This is just the beginning. The investment required to deliver these services globally took a hundred years and was delivered by thousands of regional service providers. Over time, these service providers may merge and acquire economies of scale which reduce costs for their users. User generated infrastructure can deliver a global solution quickly and service a global audience at a fraction of the cost. Coverage is wherever there is an internet connection. The global community could use savings from employing user generated infrastructure to expand internet access to users without access.
User generated industries
The next evolution in economic development and the evolution of the internet is likely to be user generated industries. This will move beyond user content to valuable industries which distribute valuable information. Online industry networks will facilitate collaboration and distribute information. Small groups may specialise in the manufacture of information. They will rely on online networks to distribute it. Consumers of information will increasing source their products from online networks.
A user generated industry combines user generated content and user generated infrastructure to distribute products and services from individual manufacturers to individual consumers. There are significant economic and social benefits for the individual manufacturers and consumers of information. Individuals can focus on their unique speciality, work from home and be their own boss. Customers obtain the convenience of online delivery and lower costs. Organisations that serve the community by distributing information are likely to be rendered redundant by advances in technology. These organisations will need to find other means to add value to the global community if they are to survive. Some will not.
