Loosely Coupled:

"Nextel's failed attempt to confine users to its own private enclosure of text messaging is a warning to all vendors of the dangers of spurning interoperability. This is a virtuous circle, too. Each new breakthrough in interoperability increases the strength and universality of the network, further diminishing the power of any vendor (even the most powerful) to resist.

Perhaps the sinking in of this message is what is now fuelling the share price falls and management turmoil at the major entertainment and media conglomerates, including AOL Time Warner, Vivendi, Sony and even Disney. They expected one day to control the Internet, but instead they are discovering that it is the Internet that will dictate the terms on which they are going to have to operate. It is the network - the demosphere - that is in charge."