This is a preview of the Shortform book summary of Machine, Platform, Crowd by Andrew McAfee and Erik Brynjolfsson.
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The ramifications of transitioning into a digital setting

This section explores how the rapid and pervasive transformations induced by technological advancements are reshaping multiple sectors, compelling businesses to modify their strategies to stay in sync with these digital evolutions.

The speed and scale of the upheaval

The influence of the digital era is unmistakable across a variety of sectors, demonstrating the speed and breadth of its spread compared to previous technological transformations, such as the introduction of electricity.

The authors initiate their discussion by emphasizing the swift and significant nature of the digital revolution, distinguishing it from previous technological transformations like the introduction of electricity. The writers argue that the transformative influence of the Internet and related technologies is rapidly and broadly redefining various sectors.

Specifically, the authors outline the dramatic changes that have swept across various sectors. Income from print advertisements in conventional media has seen a dramatic decline of 70%, as funds previously allocated for classified ads have shifted to platforms like Craigslist and Google News, which have also pioneered the use of targeted advertising online. The worldwide revenue from recorded music saw a substantial drop of 45% as a result of online piracy, alongside the rise of services like Napster and iTunes, which transformed the way individuals acquire and enjoy music. Between 2005 and 2015, a period characterized by the emergence of online marketplaces like Amazon, approximately 20% of American malls ceased operations. The widespread adoption of mobile phones led to a significant decrease in landline usage, which in turn caused companies such as Blackberry to experience a dramatic 95% plunge in their market valuation.

The authors contend that such examples showcase the transformative impact of technological progress on entire industries, underscoring the necessity for businesses to anticipate and adapt to these rapid changes rather than adhere to traditional commercial methods.

Adjustments necessitated by advancements in technology.

Companies need to take into account the substantial transformations occurring, such as the increasing supremacy of digital platforms...

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Machine, Platform, Crowd Summary Striking a balance between human intelligence and machine capabilities is crucial.

The section delves into the complex dynamics of how humans and machines engage with one another. The book examines the limitations inherent in conventional collaborative structures and discusses the increasing prevalence of machine-driven decision-making, while also recognizing the distinct and ongoing contributions of human intelligence.

Investigating the traditional partnership and its limitations.

The traditional approach of dividing tasks between human intelligence and machines is becoming outdated, with advanced technologies highlighting the increasing significance of basing decisions on the analysis of data.

The authors scrutinize the conventional approach to teamwork, which often distributes responsibilities between human intelligence and tasks performed by machines. The strategy that became popular in the 1990s involved delegating routine tasks to computers and allowing humans to utilize their judgment and creativity. The authors argue that the previously effective method no longer succeeds in fully utilizing the potential of modern technology.

They underscore the belief that the nuanced judgments of people still surpass the purely quantitative evaluations...

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Machine, Platform, Crowd Summary Innovative capabilities of platforms are revolutionizing business models.

The section of the text explores the emergence of platforms and their impact on traditional business models. The authors analyze the way platforms leverage the inherent characteristics of information goods, which include cost-free replication, uniform quality, and the ability to be distributed instantly, to pose a threat to traditional market leaders. The concluding segment of the section explores the extensive upheaval brought about by platforms, along with the strategies employed by proprietors of prosperous platforms.

Information-based goods have distinctive economic characteristics, being instantly accessible and free from costs or imperfections.

The manner in which these online marketplaces leverage economic principles to upend established sectors, underscoring their competitive strengths and the obstacles that existing companies encounter.

The authors delve into the significant transformations caused by digital marketplaces and networks, analyzing these developments through the perspective of relevant economic theories that apply to information-based goods and services. They elucidate that items created from digital information, as opposed to physical...

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Machine, Platform, Crowd Summary The profound consequences originate from the combined influence of the masses.

The section examines how harnessing the collective power of the crowd can lead to significant achievements in the business world. The concluding parts of the book thoroughly examine the transformation of business and economic practices through collective endeavors during a time marked by substantial transformations.

The collective's involvement now functions as a substitute for centralized control.

The collaborative endeavors of numerous individuals have led to the development of projects like open-source software and the founding of Wikipedia.

Drawing on examples from earlier in the text, McAfee and Brynjolfsson emphasize the emergence of collective intelligence as a significant force alongside the core components. The authors argue that in the digital age, the creation of knowledge, innovation, and problem-solving are being transformed by a wide-ranging and dispersed network of individuals, each bringing their distinct abilities and motivations to the table. The book demonstrates that the combined wisdom and insights of a varied group often eclipse the results produced by traditional institutions.

The writers use the development of the Linux operating system as a...