Are you a giver or a taker?

The internet is a wonderful thing, and it feels like we are presently realising a renaissance in the beauty of sharing information with each other, free of borders and restrictions (unless you live in China apparently http://tinyurl.com/67crvtk). There is a stupefying amount of content available to even the most pedestrian of internet surfers and with the ever increasing intelligence of search mechanisms it has never been easier to find what you need quickly and cheaply. Google are of course attempting to lead the way with their relentless aggregation of data and one-upmanship development strategies. The most recent addition to their portfolio being 'Google Recipies' (http://tinyurl.com/4zjbvsl) which intelligently scours the web to provide you with a novel idea for your next meal.


But where does all this content come from, and how is it possible that it is mostly free to the end user? Well the obvious answer is commercial gain from different sources. More often than not content is cunningly interleaved with a revenue stream, be it advertising or retail affiliation. It is just possible however that the Internet is driven by an even more prevalent human trait than a love of wealth. Many ordinary members of society lead a Clark-Kent like existence between their daily persona and their on-line presence. A prime example is Mr Robert Scoble, an ex-Microsoft Employee who now commands impressive power in the Global blogging scene (http://scobleizer.com/). Now I wouldn't seek to speculate on Mr Scoble's off-line existence, but something tells me it might be more of the Dungeons and Dragons variety rather than the Global trendsetter which he can quite rightly claim to be when at the helm of his blog. What drives many such people is an age-old desire to commit thoughts to (digital) paper and very often the "Contributors" of the web do so for the good of the Internet Public.


So we live in an age where information is largely free if you know where to look. But it all has a rather "Church fete" feeling about it don't you think? All to often the brow-beaten moderators of technical forums are used and abused by the great unwashed and left hanging once they have fulfilled their usefulness (https://blogs.secondlife.com/message/135499). The blogger's of this world rarely make much cash from their exploits but still devote a good deal of time to trying to write in a compelling manner when they are unlikely to ever meet most of their audiences. Now of course most of these pursuits are optional, but human goodwill is never limitless. How long will the rich mine of solutions, guides, forums, recipes, maps, and even Medical advice survive before it is plundered by the ever growing internet population? (myself being one of the worst culprits)


Well odds on we have got a while before an apocalyptic ceasing of all content creation, and it might never happen. But it does raise the question, what do you bring to the Internet Party? Are you a grinning free-loader who fills their pockets on the way out, or a diligent guest who brings all your own food, a bottle of Vintage Champagne and helps to clean up when everyone has gone home?


Image Credit: xkcd