Money will ruin Web 2.0 utopia

I've been reading a host of articles about this whole Digg/Netscape thing (and I mentioned it in a recent post). And I think I've come to a pretty strong realization, although the exchange between the two is going through advanced de-evolution (as it so often does online).

All utopian, great, wonderful, democratic ideas do well in a very pure sense. However, now money has been added to this equation. And, honestly, there is a good, long-standing argument for paying and rewarding the people who put in hours to make you succeed (in fact, I believe it myself).

Every time I've been involved in a non-monetary, non-profit from the start project that was awesome, the second money got involved it went FUBAR - whether it be the competition, or the group I was collaborating with, the pattern is exactly the same. Awesome project pre-cash, everyone has fun, everyone produces great work; and then money gets involved and it all goes to h-e-double-hockey sticks. It's why now, I outline and deal with the money first. Then, there are no obstructions, misconstructions, or hurt feelings.

Jason Calacanis has introduced money into the Web 2.0 equation. The playing field HAS changed. People do have real responsibilities, and can't truly afford to do something four to eight hours a day without compensation; so taking the money is understandable. Patrick Norton said it best on TWIT this week - it's great to be amateur champion, but even better to make a living doing what you love to do.

It's only a matter of time that $1,000 a month turns into more. Netscape/Calacanis may not raise their price, but now that it's on the table, someone else will, as in the big scheme of things it's a very small amount of investment capitol. And if a startup has some cash to burn, that number is going to go to 2k or 3k, and then those people can make somewhat of a living off of aggregating. And if there is a market for their content and services, I do not have a problem with that. I cannot begrudge someone for wanting to make an honest living.

Digg won't die, and may get stronger; but Web 2.0 just became Web 2.1. We've moved versions and I don't think we're going back.

Resources:
PBS Mediashift: Should Community-Edited News Sites Pay Top Editors?
Digg CEO Jay Adelson says that monetary compensation out of the question
Jason Calacanis' Blog (specifically "Kevin Rose Cracks")
Kevin Rose response telling Jason to "clone on"