Speaking at Mojocon yesterday in Dublin, Ireland
Yesterday, I was a speaker at MojoCon, a conference on Mobile Journalism, held in Dublin, Ireland.
The topic was, obviously, mobile journalism -- that is, using iPhones and such to work as a reporter.
But live by the technology, die by the technology.
And journalism is about to die by the technology.
Which is too bad, but... unavoidable.
As journalists, we can stand by and watch as job after job, career after career is obviated by the exponentially growing power of tech.
This process starts small: Elevator operators (or lift drivers, as we say in the UK) are replaced by do-it-yourself push buttons. Factory workers are replaced by robots. Bank tellers are replaced by ATM machines. (We all like ATM machines. Who wants to stand on line to cash a check (or cheque)? Amazonwipes out store clerks and small shops. Every time we make an online purchase of music, we wipe out another record store (records??). The list rolls on and on. It is the inevitable consequence of technology and the tyranny of Moore's Law - the tech just keeps getting faster, better and cheaper.
Soon lawyers will be replaced by software that gins up all that boilerplate, - much faster and far less expensively. The FT today reports that both Google and Johnson & Johnson are gearing up for 'cutting edge healthcare with robotic surgeons'.
And now comes journalism.
There are 3 billion people around the world with iPhones or smart phones in their pockets.
Those phones are not just phones (clearly), but, among other things, remarkably powerful platforms for journalism. You can write on them, shoot photos, record and edit video and even live stream - and upload it all up to the Internet and a waiting world of a few billion viewers, and all for free.
At MojoCon, 600 or so reporters are learning how to use smart phones and their remarkable power to report on events around the world simply, easily and efficiently. But if those journalists can use those tools, so can anyone else. And so WILL everyone else. There is no barrier to being a journalist. Anyone can do it. And they do. This is the content that fills Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Meerkat and so on. All news and information -- all filled by a billion people reporting all the time for free.
So the job of the professional journalist is as dead as the elevator operator.
That's technology for you.
We all like the idea of the driverless car. Except it is the end of the careers of truck drivers, taxi drivers, bus drivers and so on.
So too with the smart phone.
Today, the world's biggest taxi company, UBER, (with a valuation of $30B), does not own a single taxi.
The world's biggest hotelier, Airbnb does not own a single hotel room.
In the not too distant future, the world's biggest and most powerful news and media company will not employ a single journalist.
The model is already here.
All that is needed is someone who can put this all together.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.