6 Degrees of myspacation, just became 1 degree of Rupert Murdoch*

Original Post: July 20, 2005

That’s right, Rupert Murdoch the right wing media mogul behind Fox News has turned myspace.com into another sphere of influence in his empire of now multi-media corporate conglomeration. Actually, old Rupert had his company NewsCorp purchase Intermix, the Parent Company of myspace.com for $580million. Though that is some serious Bling Bling, I would have thought the eyes of 18.5 million hipsters between the ages of 16 and 34 would be worth a lot more than that. I mean after all, we are the most sought after target market audience! But what do I know, my idea of business saavy is downloading Death Cab for Cutie’s new album instead of driving to the store, or deciding whether or not to get the #4 combo meal or by the drink separate. Whatever, sweet deal for Tom or not, the point of interest is that myspace has ascended into a new plateau from the underground, to well just. . .the ground.

I’m not upset because myspace has broken through the surface into the mainstream; this isn’t quite the same as not liking a song anymore because it’s on the radio and you’re 13yr old little sister likes it. I’m bothered because myspace was not fabricated to generate “x” amount of revenue by milking the consumer cash cow. People have responded to myspace so strongly because it seemed to have an authentic quality. It was an internet networking tool created. . of the people(Tom and us thanks to Tom’s myspace page editor). . .by the people(that’s you, or and me too). . .and for the people (scratch that and insert advertisers). . .with liberty (as long as there’s no nudity) and comments for all. . .

However, myspace’s Andre 3000 “Ice Coolness” has become a Making the band 3 “Luke Warm” (come on, 1 and 2 was enough).

What does all this really mean?

Hopefully nothing. . .The best we could wish for is that on our end of things, we won't see any changes in the look and functionality of myspace. Everyone will continue to post bulletins about new pics and pass on personal questionnaires to casual acquaintances. I doubt that NewsCorp is dumb enough to risk losing any portion of its 27 million users with 2 million more signing up each month, by charging money. Perhaps their vested interests will call for advertisements for myspace? But if my parents see a commercial and get on myspace, I’m out. What’s really at stake is the detailed market research information collected by myspace. Rupert not only bought our eyes, but he bought our behavior; which could potentially be up for sale to the highest bidder.

My last blog about myspace praised its ability to bring us all together from a global village to a global highschool where any given user is literally 6 clicks away from Kevin Bacon. But the website that has brought us all together has merely corralled us into the pockets of Rupert Murdoch, and myspace just suddenly became his. I guess we’re all 1 degree away from ruport murdoch. I'de give him some space. . .but Tom already did.



-MM

If you’re interested in articles, here’s a few:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-news19jul19,0,5736047.story?coll=la-home-business

http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/archives/2005/07/myspace_bought.html

http://schuylkill.dailykos.com/story/2005/7/18/223340/797

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