Live is Special

The Web as we know it today is almost completely real time and live. But it isn’t there yet. When it gets there, we’ll see another explosion of value created for the world and new business models that work.

Look at television for some important parallels. Most television programming is not live. Studios plan something, test it, edit it, produce it, and then show it. But audiences are really drawn to live programming. We care more about live news, especially when it is on location and something exciting is happening; hurricanes, elections, interviews with celebrities, etc. Or we pay a premium for live events, pay-per-view sporting events or concerts. Even the popularity of reality shows can be partly explained by how closely they feel to being live.

But television is a one-way medium. The Web changes the whole game because it can flow two ways, or three, four, eighteen, four hundred and one, even a few thousand ways. And it can flow so many ways live.

So why don’t we do live more often? Live is expensive. Live is inconvenient – everyone has to congregate at the same time. Live is exclusive. Live is premium. It isn’t for everyone. Live works best for those with an audience that wants to engage on a deeper level. It works for those individuals and organizations that want to make their most valuable relationships feel even more appreciated. Live works best when you want to behave like you do in real life.

Comments

[@Takuya_Hikichi]

For most people, doing anything live is scary and it's so easy to just avoid it. But once we start looking into live as a privilige and not an obligation, it gives us entirely new perspective.

At the same time though, I think it's important not dwell too much on what happens during live because if anyone did, it would prevent from taking on brave and remarkable challenges. I tell myself if mistakes were made, do better next time, but protect it from becoming an average presentation.

[Strategic Growth Advisors]

I completely agree with your post. I think you did a great job describing how the Web is still not maximized to its full potential as the medium of the future.

Maybe in the couple of months, or years perhaps, the Internet will be revolutionized and attributes we normally think of as Sci-Fi material will be added.

By that time, the term "live" will take on a whole new meaning.

[Pam]

So true (other than what you noted)! Today I unexpectedly ended up attending a fascinating jewelry making demo in person. It was so much better than reading a lesson because it was going on right in front of me & I was "involved" in the process.

[Allan]

After I wrote this, Seth informs me that the Internet is mostly not live except for perhaps Twitter. He's right so scratch my opening sentence.

Live is something we'll see more and more of on the Internet. Exciting possibilities going forward!