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I agree that most of these technologies won't disrupt big tech, but completely disagree on why. "Big co's" most ALWAYS fall because of another innovative start

I agree that most of these technologies won't disrupt big tech, but completely disagree on why. "Big co's" most ALWAYS fall because of another innovative startup/technology because of innovator's dilemma. That said, most of these technologies IMO won't succeed NOT because they're niche (You HAVE to be niche in order to succeed, that's how all innovative technologies succeed. On the other hand, all new startups that try to play the same game as the bigcos in the large field ALWAYS fail) but because they got the priority wrong. Most of these pursue decentralization for the sake of decentralization, as in a philosophical sense. But most people don't care about some esoteric philosophy. If they did, Facebook wouldn't be this dominant. What they should be doing instead is coming up with a clear use case that fills an actual need (not some philosophical appetite). A few of these technologies may have this trait so I tend to think in more optimistic way.

drvdevd 9y ago
I think you’re correct about the average user not caring about philosophy - but I think there is now a great opportunity for the big players to screw up what they have by giving in to the money grab we see with the repeal of net neutrality. If we get rotten Internet for the average consumer most of the time in most places, average users will start thinking about alternatives.
- dbmikus 9y ago
  It would be vastly difficult for a mesh network to compete with centralized wired or wireless broadband. I think net neutrality is better solved by better market competition (right now only available in wireless space) or by revisiting the legislation once again. Although for places with crappy centralized internet, mesh networks are cool.
woodandsteel 9y ago
>What they should be doing instead is coming up with a clear use case that fills an actual need (not some philosophical appetite). A few of these technologies may have this trait so I tend to think in more optimistic way. I agree. We need to come up with at one strong need that average net users have that is being poorly served by the present centralized system. I think we are not there yet because the techies are still developing systems that work and are easy to use. Once we have that, then people who are more marketing-oriented will figure out what needs to appeal to and what particular technology would do it best.

drvdevd 9y ago

I think you’re correct about the average user not caring about philosophy - but I think there is now a great opportunity for the big players to screw up what they have by giving in to the money grab we see with the repeal of net neutrality. If we get rotten Internet for the average consumer most of the time in most places, average users will start thinking about alternatives.

dbmikus 9y ago
It would be vastly difficult for a mesh network to compete with centralized wired or wireless broadband. I think net neutrality is better solved by better market competition (right now only available in wireless space) or by revisiting the legislation once again. Although for places with crappy centralized internet, mesh networks are cool.

woodandsteel 9y ago

>What they should be doing instead is coming up with a clear use case that fills an actual need (not some philosophical appetite). A few of these technologies may have this trait so I tend to think in more optimistic way. I agree. We need to come up with at one strong need that average net users have that is being poorly served by the present centralized system. I think we are not there yet because the techies are still developing systems that work and are easy to use. Once we have that, then people who are more marketing-oriented will figure out what needs to appeal to and what particular technology would do it best.