> ...I don't care about a random small company getting rewarded for its random innovations. Why should I?
Actually, the 800 lb gorilla companies DO CARE about random small companies and their random innovations. That's why they try to buy them, sometimes aggressively. Quite frankly, it's how larger companies can get innovation.
As a company grows, true innovation usually gets squelched in favor of derpy project management bullshit. Creative people get burned out and leave, or, in some cases become "a fellow". The main way these big companies can actually innovate is to buy these smaller companies. It might be good for the owners of the small company, some folks cash-out, some get new jobs, some aren't so lucky. Whatever happens a bunch of folks got some great experiences and the satisfaction of creating something new.
I don't see this stuff as a bad thing-- and especially not for social media stuff.
"Actually, the 800 lb gorilla companies DO CARE about random small companies and their random innovations. That's why they try to buy them, sometimes aggressively. Quite frankly, it's how larger companies can get innovation."
Yes, the market takes care of this so I don't have to care.
The role of the citizen is caring about situations where markets malfunction - true monopolies, externalities, and all that jazz.
As a company grows, true innovation usually gets squelched in favor of derpy project management bullshit. Creative people get burned out and leave, or, in some cases become "a fellow". The main way these big companies can actually innovate is to buy these smaller companies. It might be good for the owners of the small company, some folks cash-out, some get new jobs, some aren't so lucky. Whatever happens a bunch of folks got some great experiences and the satisfaction of creating something new.
I don't see this stuff as a bad thing-- and especially not for social media stuff.