What’s the thing like around here?

Industries are often grouped together by unsigned classifications, signposts on the way to acquisition.

In the fancy part of the book business, it’s not profit. Editors often don’t know which books are really profitable. They are difficult to measure cultural influence, literary respect, the idea of ​​a book being ‘well published’ and ‘important’ currency.

Kindle and Long Tail have changed, new entrants are keeping an eye on something else.

On the other hand, “A” list movies have a whole circle that may disappear from Academy Awards, famous directors and many of us.

Netflix and YouTube have also changed this, with new entrants keeping an eye on short cycles and different metrics.

In Silicon Valley, for thirty years our future engine, technical skills and elegance were the main drivers.

Now, the focus has shifted to transient cultural currency in search of simplicity, memes and large numbers. The new signposts are about cultural ubiquity, IPOs, fast flips and harvest data.

Apps instead of programs, user interfaces that require no instructions and are not really rewarded for hard work, and output that is driven by both. Like the Roach Motel, the goal is to make it tempting and difficult to escape.

The hierarchy of status drive decisions goes far beyond our perception. Why do we often ignore the systems that make up our culture?