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The Attention Economy Is Here

By: Barry Welford
2009-03-20

Twitter as Flashpoint for the Attention Economy is the title of an interesting blog post at Internet Evolution by Andrew Keen.

"'Attention Economy' was invented by the futurist Michael Goldhaber in December 1997 to describe a new arrangement in which the "flow of attention" replaced money as the currency of the Internet. Twitter Inc. - with its medieval-like armies of followers and followed - is a good example of how this new attention economy works. The value to us of Twitter is based on how many followers we have and thus how many people read our words. We all compete on Twitter for both attention and followers, of course, because time is finite, and there is only a certain number of people we can realistically follow and only a certain number of messages we have the bandwidth to read."

If you want to read more on the Attention Economy, then ReadWriteWeb has a good Overview.

As a pioneer of the Attention Economy, Twitter now is faced with the challenge of monetizing attention. For it to become a viable business, the VC-backed startup - which only just appointed a sales and business development team - needs to identify what it is, exactly, the company is selling.

Apparently Jason Calacanis with his 62,000+ fans is somewhat miffed that he does not appear on the Twitter suggested users list " a group of 20 A-list names given to all new Twitter users. So he has made a public offer of $250,000 to be included on the list for two years, thus suggesting a highly viable business model for the new attention economy.

Keen goes on to suggest that this is a radically more innovative business model for Twitter than trying to sell advertisements and sponsorships. Im not so sure since I could not even find this A-list of 20 names. I could find some suggestions of others I might wish to follow in the Searching for People section. The following list of 115 such suggestions includes some of the A-list but again not Mr. Jason Calacanis.

Defamer
LA is the worlds cultural capital. Defamer is the gossip rag it deserves.

Alison

hi there, im ali. im in a band called a fine frenzy. life is funny. lets have a laugh.

Jodrell Bank

Home of the worlds third-largest steerable radio telescope, and the MERLIN National Facility. Part of the University of Manchester.


Justine

New media chick & Apple fan girl " I make funny videos and blog about everything from technology to pop culture. Read my blog ijustine.com

Dell Outlet

Refurbished Dell computers & electronics.

Twitter


Always wondering what everyones doing.

JetBlue Airways

Have a question? Follow us and let us help! - Currently on duty: Morgan, Alex and Justin

FragDolls

Ubisofts all-girl professional gaming team. Were passionate about video games and geek culture, and love to see more women playing and making games.

Jason Goldman

Flipped my wig at age 22 and it never grew back. Also: I work at Twitter.


The New York Times

 

Steven Johnson

Writer. (Six books, most recently Invention of Air.) Web site creator (3 companies, most recently outside.in.) Dad (three boys.)

Has Cheezburger?

This is the official ICHC TwitFeed. Check out @icanhaschzbgr for moar conversation.

John Dickerson


Political correspondent, Slate

NPR Politics

Political coverage and conversation from NPR News

Brandon J. Mendelson

Twittering across North America to fight cancer. Project nformation provided at the link above.

Agent M

Marvel.com writer/editor/blogger. Comics! See also: @Marvel and tacosporvida.wordpress.com


Pete Cashmore

Follow Mashable for the latest news on Twitter, social networking and social media.

someecards

When you care enough to hit send.

BBC Click

The BBCs flagship technology TV show. Click is on BBC1 Sat 06.45 & News Channel Sat 11.30 in the UK. International times are at bbcworldnews.com/click


Michael Arrington

Breaking Technology News And Opinions From TechCrunch

Hammer

http://mchammer.com

Sockamillion

I am Jason Scotts Cat.

THE_REAL_SHAQ


Very Quotatious, I Perform Random Acts Of SHAQness

Evan Williams

CEO of Twitter

Felicia Day

Actress, Filmmaker, Gamer, Misanthrope

CNN Breaking News

CNN.com is among the worlds leaders in online news and information delivery.


Al Gore

 

Ana Marie Cox

There is no such thing as adventure. Theres no such thing as romance. Theres only trouble and desire.

Zappos.com CEO -Tony

www.zappos.com blogs.zappos.com twitter.zappos.com

Dooce


Mommyblogger, tyrant, snugglebunny

Whole Foods Market

Fresh organic tweets from Whole Foods Market HQ in Austin, TX.

woot.com

Woot : One Day, One Deal. Also see our other feeds: twitter.com/wootoff twitter.com/wootshirt twitter.com/wootwine twitter.com/wootsellout

Lance Armstrong

7-time Tour de France winner, full time cancer fighter - LIVESTRONG!


Britney Spears

Yes! This is the real Britney Spears! Weve got updates from her team, her website and yes, even Britney herself!

DaveJMatthews

 

Sara Bareilles

 

Veronica Belmont

Host of Tekzilla on Revision3 and Qore on PSN. Also, a geek.


Jimmy Fallon

Snork.

Tony Robbins

The Official Tony Robbins Account

Brooke Burke

todays modern mom

World Economic Forum


Official Twitter account of the World Economic Forum, best known for the Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland (@luefkens tweeting)

ashton kutcher

 

Penn Jillette

PennSays, P&T: Bullshit!, more than half (by weight) of Penn & Teller

The Moment


Where Style Meets Culture

Coldplay

The official Coldplay twitter page.

John McCain

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ)

Kevin Rose

Founder of social media site digg.com. Random ideas, entrepreneur, climber of rocks, video blogger, & tea drinker.


Chris Sacca

SF based early stage tech investor and adventure sports addict

Dave Morin

20-something Internet entrepreneur. Current, Facebook Connect. Past, Facebook Platform. Distant past, Apple.

David Gregory

Host of NBCs Meet the Press

Jack Dorsey


Inventor, Founder, & Chairman of Twitter

Biz Stone

Follow the wacky adventures of a Twitter co-founder!

Kevin Pollak

Stooge. Not one of the original 3.

GeorgeStephanopoulos


ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent and Host of "This Week"

Terry Moran

Nightline co-anchor

David Allen

Originator of GTD, founder of David Allen Co.

Zoe Keating

cello, computers, pancakes


LeVar Burton

Actor, Director, Educator

Dr. Drew

Board Certified, MD

Womens Wear Daily

The Official Womens Wear Daily Twitter

Chuck Palahniuk


Official Chuck Palahniuk Twitter, as run by his webmaster, Dennis Widmyer.

justjared

JustJared.com is the trend-spotting, hot online source for pop culture gossip, fabulous celeb photo galleries and breaking entertainment news.

Threadless

Were a tee company where artists worldwide submit tee designs to us for a chance at $2,500+! Anyone can submit, score, share and buy their favorite new tees!

Nightline

The Official Nightline


John Donvan

ABC News Correspondent

Padmasree

CTO of Cisco

adventuregirl

Hi Everyone! Travel Expert- Adventure Girl at your service!

Tony Hawk


professional skateboarder, dad, videogame character, husband, ceo, kid chauffeur

Michael Ian Black

The Official Michael Ian Black Twitter Page

Martha Stewart

 

50cent

The Real 50 Cent

John Mayer


 

UstreamTV

Official Tweets about the best live streams, updates and news from Ustream. If you need help, message @ustreamsupport

GavinNewsom

 

MO-RiS / ????

Im MO-RIS. Freestyle,Freeride,Freelife. MountainBike and BMX rider. My favorite Music is Jazz, Funk and Hip-Hop. Sorry, I use Japanese only.

SiliconAlleyInsider


Digital Business, Live From New York

Demi Moore

 

iamdiddy

King Combs

Perez Hilton

Perez Hilton is the creator and writer of one of the most famous websites in the world. And he also loves music - a lot!

Tim OReilly


Founder and CEO, OReilly Media. Watching the alpha geeks, sharing their stories, helping the future unfold.

The Onion

Americas Finest News Source

Rachel Maddow MSNBC

I see political people

RainnWilson

I am an actor. Im launching SoulPancake soon! My wife is Holiday and my son, Walter. Beets rule!


Ryan Seacrest

Get official tweets from Ryan and his producers about the radio shows, American Idol and breaking news from Hollywood!

Good Morning America

The Official Good Morning America Twitter Page

TIME

Breaking news and current events from around the globe.

Scott Simon


Host of NPRs Weekend Edition Saturday

Jimmy Eat World

A rock band from Arizona

Giuliana Rancic

 

Amazon MP3

Daily Deals and special sales on DRM-free, play-anywhere music downloads from Amazon. The official Amazon MP3 twitter feed.

Fred Durst


Member of Limp Bizkit

Brent Spiner

 

Trent Reznor

Musician / noisemaker. Nine Inch Nails.

Chelsea Lately Show

Comedian, TV personality and Author Chelsea Handler hosts The Chelsea Lately Show on E!

NBA


News and notes directly from the NBA. Find out as soon as Amazing Happens!

Ellen DeGeneres

Find Ellens monologue, celebrity photos and videos, games, giveaways, how to get tickets and more on The Ellen Show website.

Soren Macbeth

Co-Founder & CEO of http://stocktwits.com, Interested in Currency Markets, Hedge Funds

Gary Vaynerchuk


Wine guy, host of Wine Library TV. Video blogger & Businessman that loves people and the hustle

Soulja Boy Tell Em

18 & Rich.

Pitchfork

The essential guide to independent music and beyond.

Vote Woz


VoteWoz on Dancing With The Stars. "Dancing is very analog."

Kelly Ripa

American Daytime Emmy Award-winning actress, television personality and talk show host.

KevinSmith

Fat, married, make movies, I do.

Mark Hoppus

The Official Mark Hoppus Twitter Page. For What Its Worth..


trazzler

Explore the world with Trazzler.com. Get a new hand-picked dream trip every day.

A. Jo. Martin

Director of Digital Media & Research for the Phoenix Suns (Princess of Planet Orange)

CBOE

Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) is the largest U.S. options exchange and the creator of listed options.


CMEGroup

A CME/CBOT/NYMEX Company

soleil moon frye

 

twt.fm

Share music on Twitter

Joel McHale


Host of "The Soup" on !E

heidi montag

I love Jesus!

spencer pratt

Villain

Neil Gaiman

will eventually grow up and get a real job. Until then, will keep making things up and writing them down.


rob corddry

I am a gentleman


There are other places where those who Twitter can try to be visible, for example Twitter Grader has its Twitter Elite Top Users list.  It notes that these have earned respect and admiration for having the highest Twitter Grade. Their power and reach in the Twitter community is truly awesome.  .. and that list does include Jason Calacanis.  That is a free listing so perhaps this Attention Economy is not as monetizable as it might first appear.

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About the Author:
Barry Welford, President of SMM Internet Marketing Consultants works with business owners and senior management on Internet Marketing strategy and action plans to grow their companies. He is a moderator at the Cre8asite Forums and writes on current issues on the Internet and on the Mobile Web in three blogs, BPWrap, StayGoLinks and The Other Bloke's Blog.


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