Re: Krugman looks back from 2096 at Napster

From: Michael S. Lorrey (retroman@turbont.net)
Date: Wed Jul 12 2000 - 09:00:03 MDT


"Emlyn (onetel)" wrote:
>
> This article is very interesting. Underplays the effects of technological
> development, I think, but much of the meat of it is very perceptive. If you
> have been reading the "Napster" thread, then you ought to read this article,
> as it addresses such issues directly.

One thing Krugman does have right: the individual artisan/craftsman will regain
economic clout that was lost not in the information revolution as he asserts,
but was lost with the industrial revolution. The current trend in product
marketing where all products in a market have nearly identical features, the
only delineation between products are quality and aesthetics, something that
individual artisans excel at but that industy does not.

Blacksmiths, cabinet makers, plumbers, product designers, boutique carpenters
and other craftsmen are gaining already increased prominence, income, and
importance in local economies.



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