Twitter’s Moment

Twitter has had a rough stretch, and most are pessimistic about its chances. I was previously, but I think the upside is looking much brighter than it did before this week.

The Facebook Epoch

First came the PC, and on top of the PC the Internet. Then, mobile, but what will rule mobile?

Disconfirming Ebooks

Aggregation Theory would seem to argue that ebooks are destined to dominate the publishing industry. However, that is decidedly not happening; understanding why is a powerful tool to make the theory better.

Popping the Publishing Bubble

For years publishers haven’t had to worry about business models: they just captured attention and watched the money come in. Those days, though, are over: the publications that survive will start with business models and build journalism around it.

From Products to Platforms

Apple was at its best in its most recent keynote: unveiling the sorts of products the company is uniquely capable of creating. The question, though, is whether the company has the vision and capability of making those products into platforms.

Uber 2.0: Human Self-Driving Cars

Uber 1.0 is a huge success, but it’s still basically a taxi service. We know the future is self-driving cars, but is there an intermediary step? What if Uber could do self-driving cars today?

Aggregation and the New Regulation

Because of the Internet realities described by Aggregation Theory a smaller number of companies hold an increasing amount of power. However, an increasing focus on market forces reduces the latitude for bad behavior, and the incentives — and means — to hold those companies to account are greater than ever.

Do You Trust Larry Page?

With the establishment of Alphabet Larry Page is setting himself up to pursue his vision of how the world should be, and in the process challenging assumptions about how businesses should be run and the means through which progress is achieved.

Why Disney and ESPN Will Be OK

An increasing number of questions are being raised about the future of the pay-TV bundle, and of ESPN. The former may indeed be doomed, but that doesn’t mean the latter is in as much trouble as people think: after all, Disney is the master of differentiated content.

The Case for Jack Dorsey, Twitter CEO

For years Twitter has prioritized advertisers and revenue over users and product. The problem is that the latter begets the former, but not the other way around. Product must come first, which means Jack Dorsey should be Twitter’s CEO.