Comments on: The Economics of Abundance and Canadian Culture http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/ any technology distinguishable from magic is not sufficiently advanced Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:32:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Bruce Wark http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-28825 Bruce Wark Thu, 23 Nov 2006 12:48:30 +0000 http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/#comment-28825 Well, we can thank George W. Bush for making foreign news so exciting again. Nothing like a disastrous war or two to boost news interest. As for the economic effects of news production, I'd just point to the obvious fact that news is a relatively expensive, labour intensive product. That's why the big guys --- the Globe and Mail, CBC, CTV etc. --- will continue to be players, at least as far as national/provincial news is concerned. I acknowledge that much action is moving to the Web. As I understand it, the Globe expects to be generating more revenue on the Web by 2010 than it will through hard copy paper sales. But that doesn't change the fact that the Globe will continue to profit handsomely from telling Canadian stories. I haven't done the research, but I'd say news must account for a big chunk of Canadian cultural production. And, as I say, it's a protected market. Well, we can thank George W. Bush for making foreign news so exciting again. Nothing like a disastrous war or two to boost news interest. As for the economic effects of news production, I’d just point to the obvious fact that news is a relatively expensive, labour intensive product. That’s why the big guys — the Globe and Mail, CBC, CTV etc. — will continue to be players, at least as far as national/provincial news is concerned. I acknowledge that much action is moving to the Web. As I understand it, the Globe expects to be generating more revenue on the Web by 2010 than it will through hard copy paper sales. But that doesn’t change the fact that the Globe will continue to profit handsomely from telling Canadian stories. I haven’t done the research, but I’d say news must account for a big chunk of Canadian cultural production. And, as I say, it’s a protected market.

]]> By: Rob Hyndman http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-28594 Rob Hyndman Wed, 22 Nov 2006 22:19:00 +0000 http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/#comment-28594 It's a good point, Bruce, though I didn't mention news more because that market seems to be pretty well evolved on the net now. There's no question that local coverage will stay local - though I'm not at all sure that the CBC will continue to be a big player. One might wonder, in an atomized media landscape, whether independent local providers who syndicate their content to aggregators (like Google News, or whatever, might start displacing it. Not sure. Also not sure, at the end of the day, just how large that market is. Another curious point - I have to say that inthe last couple of years I've been paying much more attention to foreign news than local, largely because foreign news is so much better covered on the Web, and that's where I get my news. Hmmm .... It’s a good point, Bruce, though I didn’t mention news more because that market seems to be pretty well evolved on the net now. There’s no question that local coverage will stay local – though I’m not at all sure that the CBC will continue to be a big player. One might wonder, in an atomized media landscape, whether independent local providers who syndicate their content to aggregators (like Google News, or whatever, might start displacing it. Not sure. Also not sure, at the end of the day, just how large that market is.

Another curious point – I have to say that inthe last couple of years I’ve been paying much more attention to foreign news than local, largely because foreign news is so much better covered on the Web, and that’s where I get my news. Hmmm ….

]]> By: Tom Poe http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-28593 Tom Poe Wed, 22 Nov 2006 22:18:53 +0000 http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/#comment-28593 Read your article on Canadian culture over at P2Pnet.net, today. Was struck by the tone of lament, wondering what will happen to Canadian culture. I'd like to pass this thought along, if I may. By November of 2007, some 59 square miles of Minneapolis in Minnesota, USA, will be "unwired". A giant community-based wireless network will commence operations. It is expected there will be a flourish of new neighborhood-oriented networks created, each with their own unique cultural identity. Local advertising will be targeted to keep the interest of visitors within the network, and contribute to their cultural development through videoconferencing, VoIP, fund-raising, Internet-based tv and radio, etc. Local musicians and artists will find exposure to a semi-captured market that today's radio and tv can't provide. The secret ingredient lies with "interaction and participation" venues not now available. Best of all, these community-based wireless networks flash by the net neutrality issue, and ensure a robust and thriving world of communication, entertainment, and education opportunity for all. An antenna that connects each household can be built for $3 to $7USD, which means there need not be any ISP involved. Hmmmm. No wonder the telcos and cable monopolies don't want you and I to know about that. :) Read your article on Canadian culture over at P2Pnet.net, today. Was struck by
the tone of lament, wondering what will happen to Canadian culture. I’d like
to pass this thought along, if I may.

By November of 2007, some 59 square miles of Minneapolis in Minnesota, USA,
will be “unwired”. A giant community-based wireless network will commence
operations. It is expected there will be a flourish of new
neighborhood-oriented networks created, each with their own unique cultural
identity. Local advertising will be targeted to keep the interest of visitors
within the network, and contribute to their cultural development through
videoconferencing, VoIP, fund-raising, Internet-based tv and radio, etc. Local
musicians and artists will find exposure to a semi-captured market that today’s
radio and tv can’t provide. The secret ingredient lies with “interaction and
participation” venues not now available.

Best of all, these community-based wireless networks flash by the net
neutrality issue, and ensure a robust and thriving world of communication,
entertainment, and education opportunity for all.

An antenna that connects each household can be built for $3 to $7USD, which
means there need not be any ISP involved. Hmmmm. No wonder the telcos and
cable monopolies don’t want you and I to know about that. :)

]]> By: Bruce Wark http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-28422 Bruce Wark Wed, 22 Nov 2006 13:29:05 +0000 http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/#comment-28422 Interesting analysis Rob. But I think you leave out one big piece of the cultural puzzle. It's the cultural artifact called "news." Canadian media outfits and the journalists who work for them enjoy a protected status because foreign media aren't interested in providing comprehensive coverage of Canadian news. That's one reason for example, that CBC focuses so heavily on Canadian news coverage. In cultural terms, news is not just the transmission of useful or interesting facts, information, commentary etc. It's also a ritualized form in which communities of interest participate in creating cultural meaning. In other words, news is as much a vehicle for telling Canadian stories as fictional drama is. I use that comparison because news is inherently a dramatic form. I leave it to you to work out the economic angle on this. Interesting analysis Rob. But I think you leave out one big piece of the cultural puzzle. It’s the cultural artifact called “news.” Canadian media outfits and the journalists who work for them enjoy a protected status because foreign media aren’t interested in providing comprehensive coverage of Canadian news. That’s one reason for example, that CBC focuses so heavily on Canadian news coverage. In cultural terms, news is not just the transmission of useful or interesting facts, information, commentary etc. It’s also a ritualized form in which communities of interest participate in creating cultural meaning. In other words, news is as much a vehicle for telling Canadian stories as fictional drama is. I use that comparison because news is inherently a dramatic form. I leave it to you to work out the economic angle on this.

]]> By: Rob Hyndman http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-28386 Rob Hyndman Wed, 22 Nov 2006 11:37:49 +0000 http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/#comment-28386 I would definitely not miss Canadian Idol, Rachel. And I suspect that Canadian entertainment that merely imitates what others do much 'better' would not survive long. Thank goodness. I would definitely not miss Canadian Idol, Rachel. And I suspect that Canadian entertainment that merely imitates what others do much ‘better’ would not survive long. Thank goodness.

]]> By: Rob Hyndman http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-28203 Rob Hyndman Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:11:10 +0000 http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/#comment-28203 I think you're right about quality being rare (in any cultural marketplace), Mark. And like Mathew, I do believe that Canadian content of quality will attract attention. In the meantime, though, I suspect we're in for a period of considerable displacement and adjustment. I look for you posts on this. I think you’re right about quality being rare (in any cultural marketplace), Mark. And like Mathew, I do believe that Canadian content of quality will attract attention. In the meantime, though, I suspect we’re in for a period of considerable displacement and adjustment. I look for you posts on this.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-28199 Rachel Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:03:00 +0000 http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/#comment-28199 Very well written, and an important topic for any Canadian or individual who holds an appreciation for Canadian culture (such as myself). After living in Canada for 7 years, I'm back in the United States and there are certainly times that I miss my home back in Toronto. When trying to describe to an L.A. native how the Toronto or Montreal independent music scene is different, I struggled to put it into words. Certainly, there is less money. Definitely, many artists and bands are "lost" to the U.S., *but* there's a more open, accepting, diverse range of sounds that have come out of these two music "hubs" which I've come to love over the years. I don't think it's the Internet that is the greatest threat to Canadian culture. In fact, whereas 10 years ago it might have been difficult to keep up with the Canadian music scene without a fairly substantial effort, websites such as Maple Music (www.maplemusic.com) and labels such as Arts and Crafts (http://arts-crafts.ca), as well as the individual Myspace pages of my local favorites, such as Justin Nozuka and Shannon Lee Briggs, who make 4000 miles bareable. The internet is all about niche markets -- if television dies and radio implodes (which there has been a call for this for *many* years so I'm inclined to feel abit "I'll believe it when I see it" about that matter), then so much the better. New mainstream entertainment/cultural outlets will undoubtedly emerge, probably out of something that once was a 'niche'. Canadian Idol might not make it, but really...would you miss it? And does it really embody Canadian culture? I'd truly like to think not. ;-) Very well written, and an important topic for any Canadian or individual who holds an appreciation for Canadian culture (such as myself). After living in Canada for 7 years, I’m back in the United States and there are certainly times that I miss my home back in Toronto. When trying to describe to an L.A. native how the Toronto or Montreal independent music scene is different, I struggled to put it into words. Certainly, there is less money. Definitely, many artists and bands are “lost” to the U.S., *but* there’s a more open, accepting, diverse range of sounds that have come out of these two music “hubs” which I’ve come to love over the years.

I don’t think it’s the Internet that is the greatest threat to Canadian culture. In fact, whereas 10 years ago it might have been difficult to keep up with the Canadian music scene without a fairly substantial effort, websites such as Maple Music (www.maplemusic.com) and labels such as Arts and Crafts (http://arts-crafts.ca), as well as the individual Myspace pages of my local favorites, such as Justin Nozuka and Shannon Lee Briggs, who make 4000 miles bareable.

The internet is all about niche markets — if television dies and radio implodes (which there has been a call for this for *many* years so I’m inclined to feel abit “I’ll believe it when I see it” about that matter), then so much the better. New mainstream entertainment/cultural outlets will undoubtedly emerge, probably out of something that once was a ‘niche’. Canadian Idol might not make it, but really…would you miss it? And does it really embody Canadian culture? I’d truly like to think not. ;-)

]]> By: Mark Kuznicki http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-28160 Mark Kuznicki Tue, 21 Nov 2006 21:30:22 +0000 http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/#comment-28160 Rob, thanks for opening up this discussion. You are absolutely right, despite the massive implications for Canadian content creators and mediators in a borderless internet economy for content, the discourse in Canada has been for the most part nonexistent. Much of my consulting work in public policy over the past year has focused on this very area. I have been frustrated by the profound silence/befuddlement of Canada's media and cultural establishment and the disengagement of the public. While the dangers to established media channels and content creators are potentially great, I disagree about the threat to Canadian culture and voices. In order to see the reality, we need to redefine and reconceptualize culture; culture defined as our values and their expression. Some of those values are unique, most of them are not. We share much with our southern neighbours, with Western and non-Western cultural traditions and of course we share many universal human values in a globalized world of consumer culture. We need to start thinking about cultural/content product in a global marketplace that leverages the universal to express the unique with an authentic voice by focusing on quality. Bandwidth and content may be abundant, but quality is still rare, scarce and valuable. I will have more to say soon in a blog post/essay on this topic. Thanks for the opening salvo. Rob, thanks for opening up this discussion. You are absolutely right, despite the massive implications for Canadian content creators and mediators in a borderless internet economy for content, the discourse in Canada has been for the most part nonexistent. Much of my consulting work in public policy over the past year has focused on this very area. I have been frustrated by the profound silence/befuddlement of Canada’s media and cultural establishment and the disengagement of the public.

While the dangers to established media channels and content creators are potentially great, I disagree about the threat to Canadian culture and voices. In order to see the reality, we need to redefine and reconceptualize culture; culture defined as our values and their expression. Some of those values are unique, most of them are not. We share much with our southern neighbours, with Western and non-Western cultural traditions and of course we share many universal human values in a globalized world of consumer culture.

We need to start thinking about cultural/content product in a global marketplace that leverages the universal to express the unique with an authentic voice by focusing on quality. Bandwidth and content may be abundant, but quality is still rare, scarce and valuable.

I will have more to say soon in a blog post/essay on this topic. Thanks for the opening salvo.

]]> By: Rob Hyndman http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-28078 Rob Hyndman Tue, 21 Nov 2006 16:54:22 +0000 http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/#comment-28078 Yes, I think the days of media being served with a dose of ham, or pork(barrel), for that matter, must surely be largely over. Yes, I think the days of media being served with a dose of ham, or pork(barrel), for that matter, must surely be largely over.

]]> By: Mathew Ingram http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-28076 Mathew Ingram Tue, 21 Nov 2006 16:51:56 +0000 http://www.robhyndman.com/2006/11/21/the-economics-of-abundance-and-canadian-culture/#comment-28076 Mmmmmm. Ham :-) Mmmmmm. Ham :-)

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