And here at Magnify.net, our goal is to bring order to a zillion little idea-cubes.
Find, Organize. Thaw. (ok, maybe i take the analogy a bit too far, but I liking the core idea).

Video on the web is either one of two things:

a. A parlor trick - like CB Radio or the pet rock.
or
b. The first moment of an information explosion that will change the
lives, work, and economies of almost everyone on the planet.

Hmm. ok - let's see, i pick 'b'.

Now - if you think that's a big set of expectations - let's just think for a minute.

Beyond food, water, air (and I would argue the environmental issues we're facing are
far more important than video on the web... though video may have a role in finding solutions).

Video is simply frozen knowledge.

Powerful. Portable. Compelling.

The tools to create, upload, and store this 'knowledge' are now in place. DV cameras,
YouTube and the other storage solutions, there's even a nascent system taking
place to create revenue for 'knowledge' creators and sites that retail knowledge.
(by which i'm talking about Google AdSense, Revver, and Brightcove).

But if you stand back, and think about the immense power, and the related challenges, of
a large percentage of the population having the tools and network access to create and
contribute knowledge - it's frankly just awesome.

It creates a tremendous opportunity to add a level of nuance - and value - to the larger
collection of content that we know as the web.

It's hardly a sure thing how all this will play out, but if you take a look at the broader trends,
you have places were people want you to submit your knowledge (video) into a cul de sac or
walled garden. And these companies tend to talk about 'their audiences' with a swagger and
a sense of ownership that seems farily draconian given the trends that are clearly driving
the change in media.

I'll go so far as to say, i've yet to see an authentic and genuine acceptance of the changing
role of the people formerly known as 'consumers' by any media company. There are
contests, and various places for carefully vetted and managed user-generated material - but
the excitement and innovation that's taking place in what David Sifrey calls 'The Participant
Economy' is being viewed more as a threat than an celebration by the current owners of
printing presses and television stations and cable channels.

That's a shame.

Because most folks aren't interested in swapping out their day jobs for full time work as content
makers. Frankly, it's as tough a gig as most - with long hours and demanding deadlines.

But they do want to take some tiny morsel of knowledge that they treasure and have nurtured...
and they want to add it into the collective consciousness.

Video is tiny bits of frozen knowledge.

And as a critical part of web 2.0, these bits will find their way into the communities, sites,
and collections that embrace them. We see Magnify as map that help you discovery video on the web. And there's a big map waiting to be drawn.