[willyd]

You are exactly correct...the value of data is plummeting. As we trend towards perfect information, it seems like markets will begin to correct instantly almost removing short term profit takers and liquidity from the markets.

As consumers increasingly use engines like amazon and google products, retailers will continue to die off and the profit model will continue to be destroyed.

I don’t know where it all ends. Combine this with the automation trend it seems we in a negative feedback loop that doesn’t have an obvious solution. I don’t know what happens when there are just no jobs and no ways for 80% of the population to make any money.

[LaserJock]

I see what you're saying, but I'm a bit more optimistic. I think profit making opportunities will proliferate in this new world. They'll just be brief. Agility will be the key to long term success. It may be that we're seeing the beginning of the end of the age of great empires - nations as well as businesses. The age of the empowered individual or small team is emerging. If this is true, then nations filled with industrious people who value personal responsibility will prosper. This could be very good for the U.S. - if we don't let government infantalize us first!