A MARKET MODEL FOR THE INFORMATION ECONOMY
The typical ancient Egyptian probably could never have envisioned a water distribution system like the ones we have today, where almost any person can access and control water from different devices throughout their homes. Likewise, it may be difficult to imagine a future where any person could access information and communicate with other people from any electric device used in the home. Yet by following this historic precedent, we can imagine how such a system of infrastructure and devices will inevitably develop around the control and distribution of our new economic commodity: digital content. Over time, derivative markets of the information economy will develop around the systems and products that create value by delivering digital content and services to the home. Figure 1.1 shows a perspective of the derivative market tiers as they relate to creating value for the residential consumer.
Figure 1.1. Information Economy Derivative Market Model (IEDMM)
The following section gives a more detailed overview of each of the IEDMM tiers.