Stratechery The Current Thing
Mar 17, 2022
The podcast dives into how the internet reshapes media and commerce, breaking down traditional barriers. It discusses the paradox of abundance, where newspapers struggle despite broad reach amid free online content. The conversation shifts to how dominant narratives may overshadow dissenting voices, highlighting the impact of major platforms on public opinion. Finally, it tackles the political neutrality of internet infrastructure companies and the implications of their decisions in sensitive geopolitical contexts.
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Level Playing Field & Abundance
- The internet has leveled the playing field for content creation and distribution, eliminating the gatekeeping power of traditional media.
- This has led to an abundance of content and a shift in economic power towards aggregators who help users navigate this abundance.
Newspapers, Abundance, and Aggregators
- Newspapers initially benefited from the internet's expanded reach but faced increased competition from other publishers and bloggers.
- This abundance of content shifted economic power towards aggregators like Google and Facebook.
Aggregation Theory & Centralization
- Aggregation theory explains how decentralization leads to centralization.
- When content constraints disappear, power shifts to platforms that help navigate this abundance.