Web 2.0: Hot or Not?

In The Madison Avenue Journal this week, Christina Kerley wants your take on Web 2.0.

With the advent of Web 2.0 the interactive medium is now interactive. Blogs have bolstered new communities and anointed journalists in their own ‘write’, while social media has turned the Web into a participatory sport. Money is flowing, everyone’s hiring, conferences are selling out, and industry events are open bar again (cheers!). According to Business Week’s Justin Hibbard and Heather Green, “it feels like 1998 all over again”, which is exciting…if not concerning.

And since this is my blog, I’ll share my vote. Drumroll please…

HOT!**

There are two asterisks though.

A) From the consumer perspective, the heat has kept going in a steady stream. During the downturn, internet usage and e-commerce kept rising. Consumer trust in the internet grew. Startups international (Google) and local (FreshDirect) turned into successful case studies, while Yahoo!, Amazon, eBay, and other stalwarts kept topping their own revenue numbers.

B) I still don’t get this whole web 2.0 thing. When did this happen? What does it mean? And aren’t we on version 4.7 or something by now?

Anyway, CK wrote a great thought piece, and you should always check her out. Go vote in the most important election of the year.