There are many interesting consequenses developing as a result of Web 2.0 services and the new information economies. In this dynamic , community oriented environment, in which users are building interactive relationships with content providers and service companies, extaordinary volumes of information are being generated.

[Source: oreillynet.com]

Dion Hinchcliffe points out “one of the most novel aspects of Web 2.0 is the ability meter the collective intelligence of your users and leverage it as a discrete service in its own right.” A great deal of collective data is currently being provided by users. What are the consequences of utilizing this data? (i.e. “who ultimately owns and controls the wisdom generated by crowds?” )

[Source: http://web2.wsj2.com]

The major point of concern for is how can the user not be overwhelmed by all this information? Technology itself is a burden for most beyond the early adopter. Combine fragmented technologies and services, with additional, redundant, competing information - designed to manage the information they already have -  and it simply becomes overwhelming and ulitmately ignored.

The latest pricing report from the College Board (Average College Tuition and Fees for 2005-06 versus 2004-05) shows 

• four-year private nonprofit institutions tuition and fees average $1,190 more than last year ($21,235 versus $20,045, a 5.9 percent increase). Total charges average $29,026 ($1,561 more than last year’s $27,465, a 5.7 percent increase).
• four-year public institutions tuition and fees average $365 more than last year ($5,491 versus $5,126, a 7.1 percent increase). Total charges average $12,127 ($751 more than last year’s $11,376, a 6.6 percent increase).
• two-year public institutions tuition and fees average $112; more than last year ($2,191 versus $2,079, a 5.4 percent increase).

Nick Gillespie points out the level of discretionary spending by Bush Adminstration as compared to other recent presidents.

“Here are numbers for all recent presidents who oversaw at least five budgets prepared by American Enterprise Institute analyst Veronique de Rugy. All are based on Office of Management and Budget and all are adjusted for inflation. The Bush figure for fiscal year 2005 is based on OMB midsession review numbers; the figure for fiscal year 2006 is based on the OMB midsession review of the budget Bush submitted earlier this year (if anything, the final figures will be higher than his provisional budget):

First Five Years, Percentage Changes in Real Discretionary Spending
LBJ: 25.2%
Nixon: -16.5%
Reagan: 11.9%
Clinton: -8.2%
Bush: 35.2%”

Additional interesting budget data available at Heritage site.