The REAL News??

Over the last handful of years the advent of user generated content has transformed  and innovated the way we interact with the web.  Established businesses such as Myspace, Facebook, Youtube, Flikr (and the list goes on) have proven that the new paradigm, where  consumers and customers dictate what it is they want, is here to stay.  Ebay, Amazon, and Netflix are other businesses which have grown and prospered as a result of also harnessing this approach of leveraging the power of their users. This strategy successfully utilizes not only your ideas and opinions but those of the thousands upon thousands of other individuals who are looking for something that reflects the ideas of what you as an audience member wants and how to enhance that customer experience. 

Interestingly enough I was in a conversation with a good friend of mine who always brings to the table cool ideas, great insight and new perspectives to all of our discussions and she introduced me to the Real News website, which I found in many ways - revolutionary.  Not because it was going to have better reporters, or more interesting stories, or smarter commentary but because of their funding model - which as CEO Paul Jay states "will have no corporate funding, no government funding and no advertising". 

HUUUHH?!?!?

When my friend first told me about it my antennas immediately went up.  I LIKE IT!  But how the hell does that work?  I watched  the Youtube  clip and was seriously taken in by Jay's passion and this new concept of "real news".  One reason to me why it is so intriguing is because it puts an interesting twist on the idea of "user generated".  Take 6 minutes and watch the clip.  Maybe the REVOLUTION WILL BE TELEVISED. . .