One of the silliest utterances overheard at the initial CRB Internet Radio hearing was a board member overheard saying "It's not my job, man!". Supposedly this was in response to comments about small webcasters "living or dying" because of new royalty rates. Note that this came inside the overall flavor of the board mindset that its not their job to keep webcasters in "business".
Internet media of every kind is more of a conversation than a business. Bride Ratings published a survey last month that showed that 140 million Americans have streamed audio or video content at one time or another. Now couple that with the very likely possibility that there are 140 million different radio stations, podcasts and videos on the internet, and you get the idea.
That's what it was all about no too long ago. Unabrigded opportuntity for content. Seems to have met the measure of the wildest of dreams.
So then, is it now time for regulation to begin fostering a weeding out, a game of survival of the fittest? Not yet. The dogs don't have to eat each other this month. Today, the CRB pushed forward the date for collecting new rates two months to July 15th. This gives legislation introduced in Congress a chance for debate and politicking.
The evolution of the web (what some are nausiatingly calling Web 2.0) may still occur in a continuing bloodbath of regulation, lawsuits, intimidation and other ugly behavior. However, as Digg.com learned, sometimes the bad guy's number is just up.
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