There’s an interesting post over on Picture Imperfect here that gets into how product companies can no longer scam customers as easily thanks to the power of social media, and the conversations that allow people to share their experiences more quickly than companies can pull the wool over their eyes.
Alain seems to be into the idea that only really excellent products (and their vendors) will endure, and that companies need to listen to creat those great products. There’s some truth in that idea, but … it feels a little utopian. I think weight must also be given to companies’ increasing ability to manipulate; better packaging, sohpistication, pricing models, channel lock-ins, and so on. I think it’s still an arms race with no one side (vendors vs. consumers) ever getting the upper hand for long.
