You have to get way into the third page of this Washington Post article regarding websites that identify “experts” to get to this classic quote:

Even if sites are able to identify expertise, several business professors questioned why experts would donate their wisdom to the Web rather than striking out on their own to make money.

Which leads one to the obvious question: If those business professors are so smart, why aren’t they striking out on their own to create businesses?

Actually, I don’t fault the “several” business professors the reporter claims he spoke with to gain that wisdom. It is extremely counter-intuitive to think “experts” will donate wisdom for nothing. It is especially counter-intuitive if you’re observing what’s taking place from an ivory tower or an executive suite or from any other traditional seat of power and prestige. Indeed, it’s not just counter-intuitive: it’s scary as hell. But the simple fact is, the unpaid experts are getting something. Unfortunately, the incentives aren’t rarely easy to define and measure.

Fortunately, I personally know why “experts” contribute their wisdom online for free. Moreover, I have studied closely this phenomenon for more than a decade. However, if you’re expecting me to blog that wisdom here for free, you must be crazy. Why would I donate such insight on a blog when I could maybe strike out on my own and make some money.

Technorati Tags: social media

Bob Wright, vice chairman of GE and chairman and CEO of NBC Universal K-Mart, today announced that Alec Baldwin will be vice president of NBCU 2.0 east coast television and microwave oven programming. According to Wright, “NBCU 2.0 East Coast television and microwave oven programming will fulfill the potential of the entire NBC Universal portfolio, including broadcast, cable, film, and theme parks, by creating operating efficiencies and reallocating resources to invest in new growth areas. We believe Alec Baldwin is just the person to add the third heat to such an undertaking.”

(Note: Life imitates art.)

Technorati Tags: media, nbc

I am in the process of re-directing the URL rexblog.com to a new server and software platform. Things may be a little glitchy for a while. Once everything settles down, I’ll explain what I’ve done and how and some thank-yous. I hope very little of the change will be noticeable.

Nashville blogger Roger Abramson just posted a photo of a day-old baby boy. Surprisingly, the baby’s name is not Jack Bauer Abramson, but Benjamin Maxwell Abramson. Ohhhhs and Ahhhhs all around. And congratulations.

Mark Cuban asks some questions about Apple, Google, YouTube and the music labels: Billioniare blogger Mark Cuban has been blazing the ‘osphere recently with proclamations of how crazy certain deals are. I’m perceiving he’s mellowing a bit now, since with this post about Apple, he puts his opinions in the form of questions rather than declarations.

Quote:

So we could have an interesting year of watching Apple to see if this change in where music is discovered impacts their competitive situation. Watching the labels to see how much they can get paid for licensing their catalogues. Will it be 15mm plus ad share per year or get sued? What will other content providers who didnt get their 15mm think Will they sue to prove a point that you cant leave them out? Will Google just write checks or give stock to the entire universe?