RE: [projectvrm] First person technologies

["Nathan Schor" < >]

Doc,

The terms usefulness depends, of course, on who is interpreting it. The case of ‘I've vetted it with a number of folks on this list, and they have picked it up easily and enthusiastically.’ may not be so surprising since they’re very familiar with the context ‘first person technology’ is describing.

But typical buyers and sellers (and investors) likely won’t have that native familiarity, so likely wonder how ’first’ differs from ‘second’ and ‘third’ person. This necessitates further explanation, resulting in the same downside we experience with the VRM term.

Preferably we need a term/phrase that’s recognizable by the commercial mainstream with minimal backstory.

 

Nathan Schor 305.632.1368 ">

 

From: Doc Searls [mailto: ]
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2014 2:01 PM
To: ProjectVRM list
Subject: [projectvrm] First person technologies

 

I just put up Why we need first person technologies on the Net at the ProjectVRM blog.

 

Here is some of the thinking behind it. 

 

As we reviewed in an earlier thread, VRM is fine as a descriptive category. It has served us well, and we will continue to do so; but it requires explanation. First person technology does as well, but to a far lesser degree. In other words, it's easier to get. I've vetted it with a number of folks on this list, and they have picked it up easily and enthusiastically. So I think it works.

 

It labels a subset of the work we're doing here; but it's a core subset that has enough definition to serve as a clear category — one the world needs before individuals enjoy full agency in the networked world, including benefits under the heading we call privacy. First person technology is also a category that should be easy for those offering centralized (or decentralized) services to embrace as well.

 

Obviously this is a first pass, and requires discussion, improvement and evangelism before it can become a meme. But I wanted to get it out there this week, before I head to Australia to visit a bunch of VRM folk there and help with the good work they're doing.

 

I have also acquired firstperson.technology as a domain name. (Yes, .technology is now a top level domain.) Advice on how to deploy it, if we choose to do so, is also welcome.

 

Doc