Platform of promise

Via Unmediated (link in the blogroll on the left) comes this suggestion:

...so the mobile is an "inherent threat" mass media, capable of cannibalizing any of its predecessors. But mobile adds five elements not possible on the previous six mass media, making the mobile the inherently superior mass media.

1. The mobile is personal.

2. The mobile is the first always-on mass media.

3. The mobile is the first always-carried mass media.

4. The mobile is the first mass media with a built-in payment mechanism.

5. Mobile uniquely offers the media audience the input tool, at the point of creative impulse.

So yes the mobile, as the 7th Mass Media is the youngest, least understood, most dangerous new mass media - one which will soon supersede the internet. Not because consuming a web page is better on a phone (that would be stupid to even try) but rather has five benefits the internet cannot hope to match.

So that's alright!