> Can peer production really extend into the physical world, or does it
> rely on special features of the digital world?

...or, as a third thesis, will the physical world increasingly take on
the features of the digital world?

An increasing number of physical activities are becoming so
data-centric that the physical aspects are simply executional steps at
the end of a chain of digital manipulation. Cemex and Zara, the cement
and fashion companies, both re-tooled their working methods around
rapid handling of data. ZeroPrestige design kites with CAD, and has
them built overseas after perfecting a design. Gold Corp in Canada let
users figure out where they should dig next, using the geologic data
they exposed. Nokia increasingly ship phones with user-accesible APIs,
making them one of a growing class of object-oriented objects.

And so on.

I think peer production, at least as Yochai has described it, requires
the flexibility and economics of the digital, but an increasing number
of physical processes have significantly digital components.

-clay

>
> Is peer production really an exception to the rules, or is it a new name
> for an old thing?
>
> -Lucas
>
> (BTW, Christian worked for me a little ways back. He was a stellar
> developer and overall very sharp guy, so I'm inclined to give the
> benefit of the doubt to this project).
>
> Alen Peacock wrote:
> > Centrally planned economies
> > (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_economy) form a simple analog to
> > centralized system architectures. In that regard, truly decentralized
> > (p2p) systems share much more in common with the free market than do
> > their conterparts.
> >
> > But AFAIK, central control isn't limited to communism: cartel/monopoly
> > power is similarly centralized, or at least "highly concentrated."
> >
> > I should disclaim "IANAE," where E=economist, so feel free to correct
> > my broad generalizing (or forgive if I'm just stating the obvious).
> >
> > Alen
> >
> >
> > On Nov 4, 2007 3:57 PM, Scott Feamster <sf@...> wrote:
> >> Dear all,
> >>
> >> In his book Christian Siefkes argues that peer economies (sharing and
> >> cooperation) are better than market economies (property and competition).
> >> Siefkes also asserts that capitalism is drudgery whereas peer production is
> >> fun.
> >>
> >> However, history has already proven that market/capitalist economies are
> >> better than peer/communist economies, except for communist party bosses.
> >> Were communist gulags fun?
> >>
> >> Additionally, market economies allow for voluntary peer economies within
> >> them. Communist economies are command and control.
> >>
> >> I think Siefkes arguments support market/capitalist economies despite his
> >> protests. What do you think?
> >>
> >> In pursuit of wisdom,
> >> Scott
>
>
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>