User generated content (UGC) is the common denominator among the many definitions of Web 2.0 . And its older than we think. I was recently having a conversation with a buddy of mine regarding viral video. I brought up BMW films and the series of short films they did with Clive Owen entitled “The Hire.” This was one of the original viral campaigns, launched entirely online and burgeoning into a full-fledged DVD with featurettes.
What we have is a democratization of media, and Thomas Jefferson’s fuckin’ dream. No longer is there an entrance barrier of journalism school, or big media/conglomerate membership, or expensive equipment. With relatively Neanderthal video equipment and a laptop- the world is yours. Finding out that LonelyGirl15 was scripted made several worlds collapse on themselves. A good story, regardaless of who’s telling it, will reach a crowd.
So why is T. Jeff so psyched? The educated populace. While they’re still quite dominant, think tanks, corporations, and faceless entities have competition now. As a result people are forced to evaluate the news they receive. Before, we read it in the newspaper or heard it on the evening news and believed it. Now that a million Joe Schmoes are writing the news, we’re forced to evaluate the “truthiness” of a given story. And believe you me, this a great thing.
Follow my train of thought if you will: 1) BMW Films comes out, stirs up the big media mix. 2) Tim O’Reilly said web 2.0 and now users generate the content for all to consume. 3) You can’t trust what’s being told to you, and are forced to do some background work on your own.
That’s it- the whole kit-and-caboodle. Nothing to earthshattering, just reflections on reality, and that’s how I like to keep it.
