Not Just The Web

January 31, 2009 · Comments

RC Airplane When we think of how the web has changed this, we think about our ability to have a voice and express ourselves. When asked to define “Web 2.0,” I usually just shortcut and say it’s the two-way web. It’s our ability to shoot back that makes it interesting.

It is also, very much, about the removal of distribution roadblocks, of jumping the hurdles of authority.

I’m happy with this post by Chris Anderson (Long Tail, Wired,). In it, Anderson reports about a geeky side project that has now become a small business. But that’s not the story. He gives us the story closer to the end.

He built what amounts to an unassisted aerial vehicle for about $500, and has set up shop so that other remove controlled airplane enthusiasts could do the same. This used to be a military-owned technology, but with some tinkering, with a community, Chris has opened it up.

There’s something powerful in this story, if you extrapolate it beyond what Chris has done. Do you see it? Can you see possibility in all kinds of other areas?

Photo credit Erik Charlton

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  • I suppose it's a sort of "if you build it, they will come" approach but with a good twist. Anderson did not start this business because he wanted to make a quick buck. The business grew out of his passion for this type of technology. Therefore, everything he put into it had genuine intention behind it. The community grew out of a shared passion - he had the ability to seek out those people who wanted to be involved with this stuff.

    This is a good lesson for those of us who are out here trying to build successful businesses and an excellent reminder of where our intentions should lie. Thanks for sharing this.
  • Nice one, but Chris Anderson from TED is a different guy than the Wired or Long Tail guy.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Anderson_(TED)
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Anderson_(wr...)
  • stevenimmons
    Some of the power of Web2 is removal of hierarchy (although I would also argue a counterpoint that Web2 is creating its own hierarchy). I have something of a theory that the 'Web2' power brokers are becoming the new 'A&R' men spotting and promoting talent in the digital pool.

    Back on point :-) - self-belief and availability of 'reinforcing' examples of others' success is a great motivator. This is where Web2 has really revolutionised the 'opportunity space'...
  • Isn't this what Open Source has been doing for years, though?

    Look at the Wordpress community - the amount of plug-ins that are released every day show that if you have something worth sharing, and do it, you'll get the users.
  • Good grief, the links off this post to the story and beyond led to loads of interesting stuff! GPS is key to this autopilot board they're promoting, and it is really cool to see an enthusiasts' passion culminate in a working, viable product, albeit in an extremely niche, hobbyist type market.

    Danny's comparison to WordPress works for me, I can not agree more. There are loads of really passionate people doing awesome stuff with WordPress, and it's growing versatility is truly amazing.
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