LiveStation . . . fight . . . kill, kill, kill
Techmeme went nuts today over LiveStation going into invite-only beta.
LiveStation is a joint initiative between Microsoft Research and Skinkers. Put simply, it delivers live broadcast video content via p2p (ohh, and it’s delivered via silverlight!).
You can read (and see) all about it over at TechCrunch.
But alas, this post is not about LiveStation, it’s about this “Vs” and “Killer” mentality that’s always prevalent in both the blogosphere and mainstream meadia. Why is it that the reaction to any new tech product is that it’s here to “kill” something else? Why can’t we just appreciate innovation for what it is and not always make it a battle. To state the obvious answer, I know it’s to sensationalise a story – but to me it’s highly uncool.
I get reminded of an interview with Jerry Seinfeld where he talks about American Idol and how it’s a disappointing refection of American society. To paraphrase, he says something like “ohh, look you can sing, and you can sing, let’s race you . . . what’s wrong with society, why can’t we appreciate them individually?”.
I’m staring to get sick of every immediate reaction on the blogosphere to any new or competing technology being that it’s here to kill.
And don’t even get me started on headlines like “When Microsoft’s Joost-killer isn’t really Microsoft’s“. . . and? What relevance does this have to the announcement? Talk about fabricating a headline for a non-story! Dude, if you’re gonna play a part is self-correcting the blogosphere, then you need to lead by example.
Can’t we all just get along?
Oh, and disclaimer: surely, you all know where I work by now.
-dg
good point… the only problem is that this mentality if often fueled by the marking machinery of big companies.
Take Microsoft for example. Why did position Silverlight as a Flash killer?
My guess is because this would give them maximum exposure. Don’t get me wrong. I think competition is good. In my opinion this seems to be the only driver for innovation in todays economy.
As far as the blogsphere is concerned it reminds me more of tabloids than serious tech journalism.
Hi Michael, when I wrote “When Microsoft’s Joost-killer isn’t really Microsoft’s” I tried to capture the nonsense that was raging through the blogs at the time.
I don’t understand what you meant by “non-story”, but dozens of high-traffic blogs misleading the public is definitely a story which I was addressing.
@Tom, agree with everything you say, with one exception. You’ll rarely (if ever) see Microsoft (or most major tech players) position themselves as “killers”. The “killer” mentality comes from observers, who, due to human nature, like to see combat.
@Long, your headline struck me a combative. Maybe the general negative vibe that I was feeling around the blogosphere at the time made me react to your headline and post in such a way (+ it was 1am at the time :-)).
My “non-story” comment was in regards to your story pointing out the relationship between Microsoft an Skinkers in regards to LiveStation. I hadn’t observed that there was such a misunderstanding in the blogosphere until more recently.
Bottom line, upon re-read of your post, your point is clearer to me and I was probably a bit hasty to draw a negative conclusion – beers on me next time I’m down in melb (or u in syd).
Thanks for the follow-up. I see where you’re coming from now.
I’m actually in Melbourne but not a big fan of alcohol. *shock*. I know, a guy who doesn’t like alcohol. Probably a sin or something yeah?
Not a big drinker myself, I only do it to be accepted by my peers :-) U going to tech.ed? If so, I’ll buy you a coke :-)
Ha, let’s all get high on caffeine instead ;)
I’m currently all ‘set’ to go, but will have to look into it in about a week’s time when I find out my university schedules. Will go if it doesn’t clash with any major assignments.
“You’ll rarely (if ever) see Microsoft (or most major tech players) position themselves as “killers”.”
While you probably have to take it with a grain of salt I still couldn’t resist. This is what apparently Microsofts CEO said in a resignation meeting: “… I’m going to fucking kill Google …” .
On a lighter note, there is no doubt that when it comes to the desktop OS and office productivity suits there is currently no serious competitor to Microsoft. They are simply to entrenched in corporate work flows to see any change there in the near future.
Not so in the search, online ad, online video space (and some other areas). Microsoft pretty much had a serious wakeup call when it came to those domains. It simply shows that Microsofts strength is simply based on very clever business licensing in the 80s which has been carried through till today.
My guess is it was Microsofts marketing machine which announced Silverlight to be a Flash Killer. I think that was the only way to get the media pay any sort of attention.
Either way I agree with you that the term is sensationalist and too tabloid for my taste.