How do you think the open source, hacker, and citizen publisher movements will effect business, the power of consumers, and big media? Today Rocketboom interviewed Steve Rubel of Micro Persuasion (he also works for the big PR company Edelman).  He had some really interesting things to say about the future of advertising and the increasing importance of giving consumers a participatory role in everything from product design to marketing. 

My personal opinion is that we're experiencing the genesis of 'Product 2.0' where the things we purchase are hackable, mashable, customizable, and shareable and consumers are empowered and encouraged to personalize and extend the functionality of all the things they own.  Companies that don't get this will either fall by the wayside or they will need to resort to hocus pocus technology and regulatory devices such as DRM and Patent trolling in an anti-competative, anti-consumer manner.  For everyone's benefit, let's really hope they start getting it.

It's also worth checking out the extra content they posted, including a discussion about small publishers building their brand and earning revenue without selling out.  Oh, and the crack he takes at excessive product placement is priceless.  I like to curl the bill a little more when I'm wearing my Brawny hat.

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