This is an article by Charles Leadbeater from last year, I wanted to post it up since there are a lot of interesting discussions about the pro-am world and user created content. From astronomy to computing, networks of amateurs are displacing the pros and spawning some of the greatest innovations. Passionate amateurs, empowered by technology and linked to one another, are reshaping business, politics, science, and culture. Link to Fast Company story. And here's a 70 page PDF if you're interested in more.
The Amateur revolution
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And it's happning with movies too:
http://ideasinprogress.blogspot.com/2005/09/fan-films-foreshadow-future.html
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I also find this subject very interesting. Makers and Open Source developers for example seem to be part of something much wider (the "Pro'Am Revolution").
I even have a small blog on this subject.
http://francois.schnell.free.fr/wordpress/
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