2clean - 4:57 pm on Feb 17, 2009 (gmt 0)

"We're at an interesting point in the development of the open online world"

Actually we all know that SM platforms are just trying so hard to monetize their platforms but they can't work it out. And if I can conclude that from my position I think others can too.

In the meantime they (SM platforms) are just pooling as much personal data as possible and making it as difficult as possible to get out of the chain to protect this commodity.

I don't believe that it is not possible to explain clearly how people's personal information, experiences and whatever else you want to call it, get used monetized and shared. Neither to develop technology that removes people from SM platforms easily.

Not blaming either business or users here, but I would say a little more social conscioussness and a little less attempt at poorly developed marketing speak (as though we take that at face value), and we'd probably find something that people would be interested in and use...And you could properly monetize.