Wikinomics on NPR

NPR played a segment from an interview with co-author of Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything Don Tapscott. On Talk of the Nation the subject has come up of the evolution or revolution of the internet.

It's an interesting topic for marketing folks. Advertising folks may take note too.

Wikipedia, the social networking encyclopedia site, has been quite popular. There's also Wiki-how and any number of wiki type sites. Open source programming is a type of wiki. A user generated content (UGC) explosion has occured. People want to be hands on, involved, users want to help develop and create the end product or the on-going project.

People want to see something great come from their efforts. Wiki, UGC, and open source projects create these better products. Better products increase awareness and drive users to get involved.

NPR's Michel Martin is launching her fourth collaboration entitled Rough Cuts with Michel Martin which utilizes listener feedback during the development process rather than as a BETA version of the program or a limited release. Not many projects begin this way. Michel Martin likens it to building a car in a garage. Usually all the work, the entire process takes place behind closed doors then is exhibited for public consumption once it's reached a particular stage or completeness. Her new program is a different appraoch, as is the wiki revolution.

Listen to the broadcast, Don Tapscott obviously wants to sell his product but the host deflects overt sales speak and it turns into a good conversation with call ins and specifics. Keep your ears open. Even if you're not a regular NPR listener you'll probably find this interview and topic helpful in your web workings. Staying in front of the mass serge is what it's about in our industry.