I’m almost done listening to the ITConversations podcast on AutoLinking. I had no idea it was such a controversial topic: but, of course, anything that modifies content (AutoLinking, once a button is pressed, creates links out of addresses, ISBN’s, and other things in a webpage) gets monied interests all fiesty in the head. The main issue is about the control of web published content.
All this stuff was debated back in the mid to late 90′s when frames were (like About.com) debated, and then there was app from the late 90′s (ThirdVoice?) that let people add annotations to any web page (how cool was that?). But, it’s still very interesting, if only because Doctorow runs circles around the pro-”content producer” arguments, even deploying the deadly, “yeah, competition sucks doesn’t it…you fucking cry-babies.”
I thought everyone need to chill out on the podcast. Seemed too emotional and some of the arguments turned personal. I think the Interent is self regulating. If people hate either Google will remove it or someone will create a way to strip it out. Much like pop-ups the Web is self moderating. If something gets out of control then a solution will emerge that fixes it.
I thought Cory was antagonistic. He even interrupted Scoble with an eloquent, “tough shit.”
Schwimmer couldn’t get a word in around Cory rants that “Copyright must give way!” Definitately needed better moderation.
baus