Some people gotta mess around

Michael Rogers, the "Practical Futurist", asks readers for their suggestions of a "business model" for the Internet. I have what I humbly think is a better question:

Why is the Internet in need of a business model?

It seems terribly clear to me, so maybe I'm blind. The Internet is an example of what can happen with a little government funding, a clear directive, and a bunch of eggheaded hackers. Poof, simple, direct, nearly indestructible communication between computers. Now, along come stomping a group that is collectively referred to as Big Business, and they are demanding a business model, damnit, right now, right quick, or they'll take their toys and go home.

Go.

My favorite "business model" to date is charging more for an e-book than for the same title in paperback -- despite the fact that the "production" costs have got to be close to nil. Certainly a publisher has to recover the cost of setting up the computer equipment, web programming, database, etc., but it looked (looks?) as though they want all their money back now and to heck with amortization.

Great "business model."

What's wrong with the current state of affairs? Seems that those businesses which prosper on the 'Net and doing so right now. Those that can't...don't. Oops, so sorry, so sad, ta-ta. I think that's called Free Enterprise and your good intentions to turn a profit aren't guaranteed to happen.

I would point anyone to Writing on Your Palm, especially if you're into using your PDA big time, but the site's owner/operator, Jeff Kirvin also is given to discussions of intellectual property rights and digital media. Cruise his column archive and you'll see what I mean.

I'm not completely thick headed, and I understand that some version of a business model needed for a company to survive on the Internet. After all, a "business model" is just a plan for generating profit from product. But these wholesale assaults on the Intenet and personal computer, where everyone pays for everything -- to one extent or another -- for the sole purpose that Major Players are guaranteed a profit is ridiculous.

I pay my ISP(s) a fee to jump on the 'Net. If you want to charge for an Internet service, then I get to decide if I'm willing to pay. If you want me to pay, make your service worth the $$$. If you're worried about piracy -- and I think too many people are too obsessed with piracy, to the point of wild exageration -- then don't put it online.

Meanwhile, blogs are a blossoming "business model" for the Internet which, tada, actually use the very nature of the system rather than spending millions fighting it. And that's a business model I can embrace.