Remember When the Web Was Competitive?

A fascinating piece by Columbia professor Tim Wu on the Wall Street Journal‘s site this weekend about how the big internet giants have been invincible for years now…

The Internet has long been held up as a model for what the free market is supposed to look like—competition in its purest form. So why does it look increasingly like a Monopoly board? Most of the major sectors today are controlled by one dominant company or an oligopoly. Google “owns” search; Facebook, social networking; eBay rules auctions; Apple dominates online content delivery; Amazon, retail; and so on.

There are digital Kashmirs, disputed territories that remain anyone’s game, like digital publishing. But the dominions of major firms have enjoyed surprisingly secure borders over the last five years, their core markets secure. Microsoft’s Bing, launched last year by a giant with $40 billion in cash on hand, has captured a mere 3.25% of query volume (Google retains 83%). Still, no one expects Google Buzz to seriously encroach on Facebook’s market, or, for that matter, Skype to take over from Twitter. Though the border incursions do keep dominant firms on their toes, they have largely foundered as business ventures.

Wu talks about how information firms throughout US history have tended toward the monopolistic – going so far as to hide their own innovations in the name of remaining in control of their carved-out fiefdoms.

Wu argues that the early days of a young information monopoly feel like a golden age of convenience and innovations.  The days of decline, however, tend to hurt the public interest as a dying giant destructively clings to relevance.

Can anyone dislodge the Googles and Amazons of the world?  It certainly hasn’t been a question of money so far.

Source:

In the Grip of the Internet Monopolists (WSJ)

This content, which contains security-related opinions and/or information, is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in any manner as professional advice, or an endorsement of any practices, products or services. There can be no guarantees or assurances that the views expressed here will be applicable for any particular facts or circumstances, and should not be relied upon in any manner. You should consult your own advisers as to legal, business, tax, and other related matters concerning any investment.

The commentary in this “post” (including any related blog, podcasts, videos, and social media) reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints, and analyses of the Ritholtz Wealth Management employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded the views of Ritholtz Wealth Management LLC. or its respective affiliates or as a description of advisory services provided by Ritholtz Wealth Management or performance returns of any Ritholtz Wealth Management Investments client.

References to any securities or digital assets, or performance data, are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others.

Wealthcast Media, an affiliate of Ritholtz Wealth Management, receives payment from various entities for advertisements in affiliated podcasts, blogs and emails. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. For additional advertisement disclaimers see here: https://www.ritholtzwealth.com/advertising-disclaimers

Please see disclosures here.

What's been said:

Discussions found on the web
  1. immediate edge review 2020 commented on Sep 22

    … [Trackback]

    […] Read More to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2010/11/14/remember-when-the-web-was-competitive/ […]

  2. 7lab pharma legit commented on Oct 08

    … [Trackback]

    […] There you will find 81739 additional Info on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2010/11/14/remember-when-the-web-was-competitive/ […]

  3. krem na trądzik commented on Oct 20

    … [Trackback]

    […] Read More to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2010/11/14/remember-when-the-web-was-competitive/ […]

  4. Earn Fast Cash Now commented on Nov 03

    … [Trackback]

    […] Read More here on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2010/11/14/remember-when-the-web-was-competitive/ […]

  5. DevOps Services commented on Nov 10

    … [Trackback]

    […] Find More on to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2010/11/14/remember-when-the-web-was-competitive/ […]

  6. mơ thấy bàn thờ phật commented on Nov 16

    … [Trackback]

    […] Find More on to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2010/11/14/remember-when-the-web-was-competitive/ […]

  7. online td banking commented on Nov 25

    … [Trackback]

    […] Info on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2010/11/14/remember-when-the-web-was-competitive/ […]

  8. carpet cleaning amersham commented on Nov 30

    … [Trackback]

    […] Read More Information here on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2010/11/14/remember-when-the-web-was-competitive/ […]

  9. diamond painting commented on Dec 17

    … [Trackback]

    […] There you will find 60655 additional Information to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2010/11/14/remember-when-the-web-was-competitive/ […]

  10. Regression testing commented on Dec 18

    … [Trackback]

    […] Read More to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2010/11/14/remember-when-the-web-was-competitive/ […]

  11. 스포츠토토365 commented on Dec 28

    … [Trackback]

    […] Find More Information here to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2010/11/14/remember-when-the-web-was-competitive/ […]

  12. good affordable wigs commented on Dec 30

    … [Trackback]

    […] Find More Info here on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2010/11/14/remember-when-the-web-was-competitive/ […]

  13. best dumps store commented on Jan 12

    … [Trackback]

    […] There you can find 63059 additional Information on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2010/11/14/remember-when-the-web-was-competitive/ […]

  14. lace front wigs commented on Jan 23

    … [Trackback]

    […] Here you can find 21456 more Info on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2010/11/14/remember-when-the-web-was-competitive/ […]