Natural Selection for Ideas
Increased research concerning the origin of ideas has coincided with the maturity of Web 2.0 community tools. Examination has even produced a number of different business models including CrowdSpirit, Buzz Feed, Neilsen’s BlogPulse and countless others. As with any maturing ideology, a standard infrastructure inevitably emerges. The following models illustrate the development of memes, communities, fads, trends (pick your favorite label) throughout the distributed system fostered by Web 2.0.
Sami Viitamaki’s FLIRT methodology
FLIRT focuses on developing crowdsourced projects but describes the foundational elements necessary for producing popularity in general. The acronym FLIRT consists of Focus, Language, Incentives, Rules, and Tools, which are preliminary considerations for idea generators. After defining the strategic and technical guidelines, the triad of Creators, Critics/Connectors, and Crowds are responsible for a large portion of an ideas success. Creators are the early adopters of the specific platform, charged with content, remixes, artwork, etc depending on the model. Next the Critics and Connectors discuss, critique, and promote (currently filling this role through discussion of FLIRT). Finally, Crowds are necessary to confirm the contributions of the Critic/Connectors to continue proliferation…A successful idea is born.
Analyzing a matured idea such a ”blogging” through the FLIRT methodology, displays an interesting phenomenon. While the practice of blogging required each of Viitamaki’s elements to gain popularity, the roles a today’s blogger can now escape definition. Example: aside from Creating on this blog, I also Critique others and Connectdisparate ideas. My active participation in the blogosphere also ensures Crowd status.
Howard Bloom’s Five Essential Forces
In the early ages of Web 2.0, Howard Bloom released his bestseller Global Brain chronicling the development of networked intelligence communities since the Big Bang. Similar to Viitamaki, Bloom divides the proliferation of ideas and dominant behaviors into five categories: Conformity Enforcers, Diversity Generators, Inner Judges, Resource Shifters, and InterGroup Tournaments. As suggested by the label, conformity enforcers are tasked with maintaining certain standard practices - a function typically filled by staff members (creators) in Web 2.0. Inner Judges fill a similar role by critiquing peers as an idea gains traction. The diversity generators are responsible for adopting a platform and altering, or what Viitamaki refers to as “remixing.” Resource shifters and inter-group tournaments fill the same void inhabited by “crowds” in the FLIRT model.
Nomenclature aside, both Bloom and Viitamaki identified the key components essential to prosperous ideas. If only starting a company were as easy as understanding these concepts…More on this later.
Filed under: Infonalysis