Is there a problem when Zombies, Crushes, Bumper stickers, super pokes, sheep throws and Vampires are what come to mind when we talk about Web 2.0 applications?
I think so and so does Bill O’Reilly. Speaking at the Web 2.0 Expo, O’Reilly commented, “(These are) pretty depressing times in a lot of ways… if you look at the focus of a lot of what you call ‘Web 2.0,’ the relentless focus on advertising-based consumer models, lightweight applications, we may be living in somewhat of a bubble, and I’m not talking about an investment bubble. (It’s) a reality bubble.”
I couldn’t agree more. After attending Social Venture Institute, I could name numerous initiatives that could put developer time to much better use.
The reality is that media consumption appetites have changed. Quick, fun, interactive and addicting apps are what the market is eating up these days. The trick is to harness what is working for something good.
Maybe it’s my optimistic heart but I feel we are in the early stages of a major shift in attitudes of my generation towards greater environmental and social consciousness (how big a shift is still up in the air). There is a market for applications with a cause. Just look at the Lil Green Patch Facebook Application, it’s wildly popular! And if you still want to throw sheep, why not throw it at a cause?!
So kudos to Mr. O’Reilly for saying what many of us have been thinking for awile now. Turn down the suck and turn up the good. Make Better Apps!
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