By Mark Evans
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews

Has the high-tech community become obsessed with Web 2.0? The roar over what Web 2.0 represents, and whether it’s good or bad continues to gain momentum. Nicholas Carr, who wrote “IT Doesn’t Matter”, has stepped into the fray with a stinging criticism that concludes that “like it or not, Web 2.0, like Web 1.0 is amoral”. It’s a direct attack on people like Tim O’Reilly, who wrote a “thesis” on Web 2.0 last month. So why there is so much hand-wringing going on? Why has Web 2.0 generated so much controversy? Here’s a theory: the bursting of the dot-com bubble made a lot of very smart people look foolish. With very few exceptions, we all gulped down the Kool-Aid in the belief the Internet was going to change the world. While it has made a difference in how we live, work and play, the dot-com era was also a time of massive experimentation. Not surprisingly, many of these projects blew up. Moving forward five years, we’re entering another wave of experimentation, and there’s a lot to be excited about. At the same time, however, you get the idea , many people are worried things will become irrational again. There seems to be a fear the enthusiasm that compelled investors to throw themselves into businesses that had uncertain or no business prospects will make an unwelcome return. What people need to focus on is that while Web 2.0 involves creativity, experimentation and innovation, it has little resemblance to the dot-com era – at least so far.

We Say: Let the Web 2.0 debate rage on; it’s a healthy exercise but let’s not get carried away with what it means. Try to enjoy the moment because the Web has become really exciting again for the first time since the bubble burst.

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