tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008714744963071704.post8256777419878492804..comments2023-07-10T04:34:19.366-07:00Comments on pure/ROKER: Cutting Off the Long TailRaymond Leon Rokerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05232518900460564061noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008714744963071704.post-42412085191726655962008-12-25T12:42:00.000-08:002008-12-25T12:42:00.000-08:00Great blog Raymond. On my RSS now! Cheers to anoth...Great blog Raymond. <BR/>On my RSS now! <BR/><BR/>Cheers to another great URB issue.<BR/><BR/>Happy Holidays.<BR/>MWMMWM Graphicshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01979201471278865697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9008714744963071704.post-8909809771061821752008-12-25T03:46:00.000-08:002008-12-25T03:46:00.000-08:00In a feat of eloquence, Raymond, you manage to bri...In a feat of eloquence, Raymond, you manage to bring evidence against Anderson's model while at the same time sounding disappointed to do so. That's interesting. <BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, the notion of supporting the "Long Tail" seems a tad outdated at this point, considering that the long tail is quickly wagging goodbye as every...single...consumer...confidence...indicator suggests that the taste of luxury is evaporating like so much air at a Beverly Hills oxygen bar.<BR/><BR/>Chris Anderson and I have had some differences in the past, to say the least (see the comments section: http://adage.com/bigtent/post?article_id=121866&search_phrase=chris%20anderson%20jonathon%20feit). <BR/><BR/>However, he was onto something before the bubble(s) burst: in my understanding, the value of the "long tail" as a consumerist phenomenon was that it was powered by people SEEKING OUT upmarket versions of the crap they already had. (Among the most famous cases often cited is Crest WhiteStrips -- which basically do the exact same thing as whitening toothpaste, but for several dollars more.) <BR/><BR/>If you're looking for the high-end niche, you'll find it. Yes, Google and Co. can help spread the word, but ultimately you'll drive the niche with rareness and prestige, making up for value with cost.<BR/><BR/>Now, that's not happening, and Anderson seems SOOO last year.<BR/><BR/>People are scared (for valid reasons), and they're not buying. Which is interesting, too, because a buying demographic that disappears during downtimes isn't a "buying demographic" at all: it's a fad with a specific fan base. Nothing more, nothing less -- and unfortunately for the "Long Tail" theory -- nothing as consequential as it initially seemed destined to be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com