I recently read an interesting post over at InmanBlog discussing the criticism of web 2.0.  It points out several critics’ accusations that social media and blogs especially are resulting in the dumbing down of culture.

Web 2.0 has introduced a form of “conversational media” to internet users world wide.  But just what does this really mean?

It’s simply testament to the fact that anyone with internet access can have their own say.  They can share opinions from their diverse perspectives and report happenings instantaneously. 

Obviously, this differs from the age old model of traditional media, where elite squads of trained journalists pander the news from their often very like-minded perspectives on a rigid and inflexible schedule – the morning newspaper, the evening news on the tube – you get the picture.

I tend to agree with the commentary on the matter from InmanBlog:

“Let’s face it, anything as hyperbolic as the conversational media movement is ripe for criticism. The hype is generated by the community itself and is often loud, righteous, ideological and overly sensitive. Like a blazing wildfire, it creates its own wind and is impossible for anyone to control. I am a guilty participant.”

Of course there’s a lot of junk out there.  But then again, one man’s trash is generally another man’s treasure.  Everybody has their own unique interests.  If we’re reading the blogs from an educated perspective, how can they possibly be harmful?

In all reality, just the opposite holds true.  Blogs should help us improve our depth of knowledge as we read both reality and fiction from varied perspectives.

While I’ll be the first to admit that the term “web 2.0” is losing its punch and starting to sound rather cliché, the value created will eventually rise to the top.  The best and most effective social media sites and creations are guaranteed to endure.  The imitators won’t.

Before we know it, we’ll be on to the next generation of the web.  Maybe we’ll be calling it web 3.0 or maybe Web Three G.  Perhaps we won’t call it anything at all because we’ll be too immersed in actually benefiting from its evolved functionality.

What does all of this mean for the real estate industry?

Well, really not much at all.  Real estate blogs will remain a great way to stay in front of customers and the 2.0 social style real estate sites will continue to flourish as long as they provide remarkable benefit to their users.

Web 2.0 might be dying, but the philosophy behind it is alive and well.