Harnessing the Internet

Yesterday I tagged along with one of the “break-out” groups, as they tackled their assignment: find a controversial subject in science, and cover it using the many interactive tools of the Internet. 

One questions popped up repeatedly as we brainstormed: how would we make this idea a viable business model?

Where would the money come from?

Who would use it?

How would our users find it?

Eventually, the group (very scientifically) agreed to assume that all of these questions were taken care of, so that they could continue with the exercise.

But skepticism was apparent.

When people no longer read newspapers and stop listening to the radio, will they accept lesser substitutes to the high-quality reporting that they used to get through traditional news outlets?

Or will they seek out new ways to find this information, and in doing so, make experiments like the one we participated in yesterday into feasible business models?