The media distribution model of all the mainstream stuff is not different between PCs and tablets. Tablets might be a bit more convenient when it comes to buying stuff (probably not even that) but that’s it. You can get mainstream stuff on both. People want mainstream stuff on both. Napster and all the later filesharing is a testament to that.
But that’s not the whole story. Far from it. All the other content out there is perfectly accessible with tablets. They are just as good at accessing non-mainstream content as PCs. They are not limited in that respect. They all have awesome browsers (the most modern stuff you can get), they allow you to download podcasts or to subscribe to RSS feeds. It’s all possible.
Tablets are the content consumption Yin to the content creation Yang.
I just don’t understand how one could see that any other way.
The content is available on tablets, too, but the device subtly privileges its own centrally mediated distribution channels. I believe this privilege will only get stronger.
Of course, unless devices like tablets continue to convince them that the mainstream is the only valuable stream.
Why should that happen? Why? I don’t understand. Non-mainstream content is a first class citizen on tablets.
I … I really don’t get it. You are postulating a effect that seems so wildly implausible and absolutely absurd to me.
I don't think it's an overt conspiracy, it's just self-interest and centralized resources and power.
I believe that PCs did change the way people are, and the way they think. Not everyone, maybe not even a majority, at least not overtly. But I think it had a profound effect on the culture. I believe the Web made a difference. I believe the ways we have to access the Web make a difference.
You can point to dumb people continuing to be dumb and say there is no problem. I see a problem, and my solution is to talk about it, to try to get influential people to think about it, and think about making tools to empower creation by the technically lay (like me).